Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/AvisCVidal

This report explores how the community development system--relationships among providers of finance, expertise, and political influence needed to carry out community development functions--has begun to move into activities other than housing. It concludes that in moving to scale in other arenas, three functions are critical: a capable national or local intermediary with strong relationships throughout the system and a willingness to move beyond its current players; individual CDCs working collaboratively--or at least using shared approaches--across neighborhoods; and new players at the city-wide level joining to meet the needs of the new activity.

Recently, there's been a lot of discussion about religious organizations and the impact of federal funds on those organizations. But what no one has really discussed is the impact urban ministries have or have not had on their communities. Can a congregation bridge the gap between providing soup for the homeless and building houses? Many congregations may need help in learning how to address developing issues in urban communities, issues like drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Is the average church down the street in an urban area still equipped to lend a helping hand? Is the role of the church, in fact, evolving? In our continuing series we look at the successes and the failures of urban ministries in addressing community issues.

This report explores the activities of faith-based organizations in community development, the factors that enable them to be successful, and the obstacles that inhibit expansion of their activities and roles. The discussion of these issues is based on an analytical review of relevant literature and a series of in-depth interviews with 27 leading practitioners and researchers. The report also identifies for policymakers the central questions that need to be addressed to inform policy and program development in this area.

Urban Institute researcher, Avis Vidal, testifies before the House Committee on Small Business to share her analysis of the American Community Renewal Act. Her testimony focuses on how the proposed legislation will affect cities, especially the areas that would be targeted under H.R. 3865.

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