Stories
Paving a Path to Stability and Wellbeing in Rural America
A new LISC research paper demonstrates how intensive community development initiatives in two rural regions of California sowed the seeds of stability and revitalization for local people and places. Co-author and LISC senior research associate Patricia Voltolini explains why these findings are so significant, and what they can teach practitioners, policy makers and local leaders about the imperative of investing in collaborative community-serving projects.
A Playbook for Our Future: LISC Unveils Its New Policy Priorities
Strong public policies have always been critical to promoting affordable housing, economic development, health and jobs. But the urgency surrounding these issues today is unprecedented. LISC SVP for Policy Matt Josephs zeroes in on the goals of LISC’s federal policy agenda for the coming congressional term in a blog highlighting proposals that tackle gaps in health, wealth and opportunity affecting millions of families and their communities.
What Zombies Can Teach Us About Vibrant Communities
This month, LISC and Cornell University will co-sponsor a conference on comprehensive approaches to turning vacant and “zombie” homes into community assets—and upending the conditions that create them in the first place. Helene Caloir, director of LISC’s $75 million New York State Housing Stabilization Fund, describes how this work is part and parcel of the broad challenges of revitalizing neighborhoods, dismantling racial inequity and sparking economic mobility.
Supporting the Resilience of Immigrant Communities, When Policy Doesn’t
For nearly 40 years, LISC has invested in local organizations working with immigrants, with the understanding that when new arrivals to the United States prosper, so does the country as a whole. David Greenberg, director of our Research & Evaluation team, weighs in on the troubling effects that changes in immigration policy are having on immigrant communities, and reminds us that helping immigrants access opportunity is good for neighborhoods, and good for everyone.
After the Storm: A Roundtable on Disaster Recovery
It’s hurricane season, and communities in the Southeastern United States are just setting out on the hard road to recovery from the destructive force of Florence. LISC has years of experience partnering with local groups to help residents rebuild, and stewarding funds to get that complex work done more efficiently and effectively. In a roundtable interview, four of our resident experts offer reflections and critical best practices for rebuilding, plus a list of the top five things to do post-disaster. Top photo: Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria © Nashish Scott
It’s Been One Year Since Harvey Struck. Here’s What We’ve Done.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which wrought an estimated $50 billion of economic and property damage in the Houston area last August, LISC has been working hard to help communities recover—and become more resilient in the bargain. Through our $100 million commitment and multiple partnerships and collaborations, our Houston and Rural programs have made steady strides in rebuilding and equipping Texans for jobs and other economic opportunities that can make the region stronger going forward.