What's New

This Spring the fourth biennial conference on reinventing older communities will take place in Philadelphia. The deep recession has posed new challenges for reinventing communities, and the extent to which the economic stimulus funds being provided by the federal government will address these challenges is one of the topics this conference will address. The conference will also highlight some opportunities presented by the crisis. The conference will also feature three tours: the Navy Yard, a reinvented community consisting of a 1,200-acre waterfront development, with over 80 companies and 7,500 employees; a successful charter school tour, with the opportunity to meet with the school’s CEO; and, Temple University--see the transformation it has spawned around its North Philadelphia campus.

Click here to read details about the conference and to see a detailed agenda.

Nonprofits in the community development system have become important developers and owners of housing for low-and moderate-income people and those with specialneeds. While the nonprofit housing world is always evolving, the current recession is triggering a new round of activity that is demanding new configurations in many cities.

This paper—authored by Paul Brophy and published by Living Cities—focuses on the changes to CDCs’ business models that are underway, and on how Living Cities can advance the approaches that make good business sense.

The paper explores several intriguing strategies: the creation of partnerships among organizations to produce more affordable housing; new mechanisms for reducing the operational costs of housing producers; and the transformation of CDCs from housing developers into broader community improvement organizations.

Click to Download the Paper

 

In October 2009, the Surdna Foundation announced new programs to support its mission to help create just and sustainable communities: sustainable environments, thriving cultures, and strong local economies. To help inform its grantmaking to build strong local economies, the Foundation commissioned Mt. Auburn Associates to prepare a white paper on the current structure and challenges of the nation’s workforce and economic development systems. This paper was originally presented as part of a November 9th- 10th, 2009 Board of Trustees meeting.

Download the Report

 

 

Across the country, transit-oriented development projects (TOD) have improved community residents’ access to jobs, schools, services, and destinations, while linking businesses to regional economies.  In the Twin Cities, both local and national funders, including Surdna Foundation, have come together to support community groups and businesses along the corridor of a light rail line connecting Saint Paul and Minneapolis, fostering these neighborhoods as “places of opportunity that are accessible to people all income levels, reflect community identities, and link all people to local amenities and regional opportunities”.

Click the following links for more information:

• Central Corridor Funders Collaborative
• Community Leaders Address Light Rail Concerns, Minnesota Daily, Oct. 23, 2009