Although much affordable housing and community development funding comes from the federal government, increasingly, state and local governments determine program policies and how to disburse funding.
As community development practitioners, we work with and run the community development programs, and stretch the scarce dollars allocated to these activities. We are often the best source of information regarding why a program works, as well as what makes it fail. It is important that we provide input to state and local legislators and agencies on the policy decisions that impact our work. We must become a key resource for them as they develop community development policies and make funding decisions, which means developing closer relationships to our elected officials and agency representatives.
The Metropolitan Policy Program of the Brookings Institution offers information on urban development, poverty and the future of America's cities.
Economic Policy Institute a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank working to exapand the public debate about how to achieve a prosperous and fair economy. It can help with data indicators and information on a living wage.
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is the professional organization for chief appointed managers, administrators and assistants in cities, towns, counties and regional entities worldwide.
National Association of Counties collects, researches, publishes and disseminates a variety of different information for, on and about the 3,066 counties in the United States.
National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) is a nonpartisan organization that promotes state legislation at the federal level. NCSL produces numerous publications on policies that affect community development.
National Governors' Association is a bipartisan organization of the nation's governors that promotes visionary state leadership, shares best practices and offers a unified voice on national policy issues.
National League of Cities works to foster innovative community building and political reform by supporting local governments through technical assistance, training, publishing, research and awards.
The Urban Institute is a nonpartisan research organization and a resource for data on the American economy.
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