Social investors: new patrons of community development

Investors who want to make money while sticking to personal values are growing in number. Social investors have typically used screens and shareholder advocacy in their approach. Now, many are learning about and investing in community economic development.Economic development ; Investments

Is housing next in company benefits?

The call for employers to offer housing benefits has been made in Greater Boston - but to little avail so far. Looser labor markets and lack of familiarity with a new concept are some reasons why employers are hesitant. What are the prospects for employer assisted housing and what is being done to spark enthusiasm?Housing - Prices ; Housing - Massachusetts

Moving into new territory: Internet banks make defining community difficult

Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 ; Internet

Mind the gap: grandparents raising grandchildren

The population of grandparents raising their grandchildren is rising. These families face unique pressures, such as finding appropriate and affordable housing. In Boston, one housing community meets their needs. Others around the country may be on the way.Child care ; Housing - Boston

Building communities: making a difference

One of the most vexing economic problems facing the United States has been the persistence of pockets of poverty in the midst of prosperity. The reasons for this are many and complex. Prominent among them are economic isolation in the case of rural areas, and language and cultural barriers in the case of many inner-city communities. Discrimination has played a role, but so too has simple ignorance. Resources and opportunities exist in these communities, but getting the recognition from market sources necessary to leverage these assets is difficult. For whatever reason, human and physical resources in these neighborhoods may not be fully utilized. Perhaps even worse, exclusion from the economic mainstream perpetuates and reinforces itself. Lacking jobs, capital, and examples of success, many of these communities have remained mired in poverty.Community development corporations ; Poverty

Perspectives on credit scoring and fair mortgage lending: article two

Credit scoring systems ; Mortgages