Voices Blog – News & views for the community development field
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![[Watch] Exploring Possibilities of Investing Now for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/connecting-communities-exploring-possibilities-investing-prosperous-sustainable-neighborhoods.jpg?w=1024)
[Watch] Exploring Possibilities of Investing Now for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods
During this Connecting Communities webinar, New York Fed Staff and community leaders discussed solutions to address urgent climate and community needs that affect vulnerable and lower-wealth communities of color. Watch or listen on demand.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, October 2024
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the October 2024 Beige Book.
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Built to fail? Contracts for deeds often sell a homeownership illusion
Contract for deed homeownership agreements can appeal to lower-priced homebuyers who believe they are unable to qualify for or secure a mortgage. But CFDs often lack consumer protections and can cost unsuspecting buyers their home and their investment in it.
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Making the connections: Louisiana’s keys to broadband success
In early 2024, the American Enterprise Institute ranked ConnectLA as the nation’s top performing broadband office in its annual evaluation of state broadband programs. ConnectLA’s secret to its success—community engagement.
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US small businesses: Recovery continues, a national initiative gains steam
At the 2024 SSBCI Midwest Regional Conference in Kansas City in August, jurisdictions throughout the Midwestern states and tribal governments convened with Treasury staff, bankers, and community development lenders to discuss ways to ensure funds from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) reach small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly those in underserved communities.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q3 2024
Check out the latest community development-related research, analyses, and articles from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors. This post captures content published between July 1 and September 30, 2024, on topics affecting marginalized communities.
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Short-term credentials and the labor market: Who stands to benefit?
Short-term credentials, such as certifications, are becoming more popular due to the timely and cost-effective targeted training they offer for specific jobs. However, their value varies widely across industries and educational levels, with mixed impacts on wages and employment outcomes.
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Un motor económico clave pero poco reconocido: la salud conductual
Dos entidades aparentemente incompatibles —la Fed de Nueva York y la Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Abuso de Sustancias (SAMHSA)— se unen para resaltar y abordar la conexión entre la salud mental, los problemas de adicción y los resultados económicos.
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![[Watch] Economic Insights from Lower-Income Communities: Findings from the 2024 Community Perspectives Survey](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/connecting-communities-economic-insights-low-income-communities.jpg?w=1024)
[Watch] Economic Insights from Lower-Income Communities: Findings from the 2024 Community Perspectives Survey
In the Connecting Communities webinar, Federal Reserve Staff and leaders from national community development organizations discussed findings from the Community Perspectives Survey and how their organizations provide vital services to LMI communities and promote economic resilience and mobility. Watch or listen on demand.
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Small-business owners: Share your experiences with credit access this past year
Small-business owners help inform policy conversations and decision-making. Take the Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, August 2024
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the August 2024 Beige Book.
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Manufacturing affordable homeownership, one unit at a time
Manufactured housing offers a uniquely affordable homeownership onramp at a time when aspiring buyers can’t afford pricier site-built homes. Even with perception and financing challenges to surmount, some are finding creative ways to extend this homeownership option to more buyers.