Our work in 2006 focused on big challenges facing the core communities of America's urban regions, from small business development and affordable housing to cultural vitality and the daunting task of rebuilding healthy neighborhoods in New Orleans. We did exploratory research, for instance, on efforts to link public housing revitalization with school improvements in distressed urban neighborhoods. And—through an essay series, opinion pieces, and on-site meetings—offered our expertise on promising strategies for Louisiana's storm-ravaged neighborhoods.

Photo: Keevette Moore

The 2006 edition of our annual Housing in the Nation's Capital report drew considerable attention for highlighting linkages between housing and schools in the District of Columbia. The poor performance of many DC schools is undermining the city's ability to attract and retain families with children, but the luxury condos being built in DC today also discourage families with kids. In conjunction with Housing in the Nation's Capital, we are now producing quarterly updates on the District's housing market—the DC Housing Monitor.

Our first-of-its-kind comprehensive statistical portrait of cultural vitality found metropolitan areas on both coasts and in the Midwest earning top honors—as evidenced by everything from community festivals to financial contributions. The portrait's seven measures illuminate the intersection of arts, culture, and community well-being, with the San Francisco region ranking number 1 on three of the measures.

Our work contributes both to local program implementation efforts and to the national policy debate. For example, in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, we launched a new demonstration project in 2006 that will provide "hard to house" families with high-quality services to help them find better housing and improve their life circumstances. And in partnership with the Brookings Institution, we assessed current federal housing policies and offered a blueprint for comprehensive policy reform.

Center Staff
Center Publications