Urban across the Country

Urban’s researchers partner with state and local leaders to provide the evidence, tools, and support they need to improve lives and strengthen communities. This work includes strategic advising to translate research into action, program evaluations to measure effectiveness, and research and data analysis to inform decisionmaking. Our experts develop custom data tools and modeling to support equitable resource allocation and lead community-engaged research and convenings to ensure policies reflect local priorities.

Use this page to explore Urban’s work. Search by region to see examples of our research, and filter by evidence and products to narrow results by topic or type of work.

Dive deeper into your state and community with our data tools. View highlighted tools below, select “Data tools” under “Filter by Product Types,” or head directly to our data tools page.

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State and community data tools
Explore our work by state
Research Report Rhode Island’s Juvenile Hearing Boards
This report highlights Rhode Island’s juvenile hearing boards (JHBs). It includes a history of JHBs in Rhode Island, a description of their operations, a summary of facilitators and barriers, and recommendations for Rhode Island and others interested in using JHBs.
Research Report Idaho’s Youth Assessment Centers
Our case study report highlights the implementation and processes of three assessment centers in Idaho: The Bridge in Ada County (county-run), The Village in Bannock County (county-run), and The Anchor, serving Valley, Adams, Washington and Boise Counties (nonprofit).
Research Report Fairfax County Panhandling Study
To explore the experiences, needs, and characteristics of people who panhandle in Fairfax County, researchers at the Urban Institute conducted a study comprising 40 field surveys and 6 semistructured interviews with people who panhandle.
Research Report Federal Place-Based Programs
This primer on federal place-based programs explains what these programs are, how they work, and how they support sustained interventions to improve the physical and social conditions of distressed local areas.