Voices Blog – News & views for the community development field
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The last bank branch standing
As physical bank branches close, some residents and small businesses in resulting banking deserts struggle to access essential financial services. In some communities, CDFIs are stepping in to help fill this gap.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, January 2025
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the January 2025 Beige Book.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q4 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 October 1 and December 31, 2024, on topics affecting marginalized communities.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, November 2024
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the November 2024 Beige Book.
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Coalition draws on local benefits cliff lessons to inform national approach
Dozens of experiments across the country aim to mitigate workers’ benefits cliffs as their incomes rise and assistance lessens. A coalition of 13 of these pilots now plans to share what they have learned and practiced with policymakers, employers, and funders.
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Lower-income neighborhoods face greater flood risk, tougher recovery
Increasingly frequent and severe flooding can have devastating impacts on communities. The Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Cleveland, and Philadelphia examine flood risk in their regions and the implications for low-and-moderate income communities.
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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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Built to fail? Contracts for deeds often sell a homeownership illusion
Contract for deed homeownership agreements can appeal to lower-priced home buyers 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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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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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.