Since the first New Deal housing policies emerged in the 1930s, governments from the municipal level all the way up to the federal government have sought ways to help alleviate the lack of affordable in this country. While there have been many successes, there have also been notable missteps. Infamous projects like Queensbridge in New York City and Cabrini Green in Chicago … [Read more...] about Can Opportunity Zones provide opportunity?
Investing
Securing housing.
Homelessness and housing insecurity are among the greatest challenges facing our communities. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, in their 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment, reported that there were more than 550,000 homeless men, women, and children in the United States. Numerous factors contribute to the growing homeless crisis. The primary drivers include the … [Read more...] about Securing housing.
Private capital. The solution to housing affordability.
Three principal actors are tackling the housing affordability crisis in the United States- government entities, nonprofits and investors. The issues arising from housing instability and affordability are complex, and a patchwork approach is necessary to make a dent in the problem. With that being said, investors should be aware of their crucial role in alleviating or even … [Read more...] about Private capital. The solution to housing affordability.
The democratization of finance.
Throughout history finance has been the province of emperors and kings. Later it included the merchant classes and the new aristocracy born of the Industrial Revolution. Your average Joe only really got involved in investing during the stock craze of the 1920s. Even today the average investor holds assets in a small subset of classes - primarily stocks, mutual funds, and bonds. … [Read more...] about The democratization of finance.
Is revitalization a dirty word?
Revitalization, gentrification, and displacement are now a mainstay in the heated national conversation about housing. For many years urban renewal and revival were sold as cure-alls for improving economically vulnerable neighborhoods in big cities from New York to Oakland. Unfortunately, the effort to bring new life to these areas was more successful than anyone predicted. In … [Read more...] about Is revitalization a dirty word?