Search Results
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: Down Payment Assistance Plays Critical Role in Affordable Homeownership
In the aftermath of the recent Great Recession, there has been a tightening in mortgage lending practices. This cautious atmosphere has been prompted in large part by the rash of foreclosures in the housing market that accompanied the financial crisis. One potential safeguard is the existence of a down payment requirement that must be met by prospective homebuyers as a condition of securing a mortgage. The rationale is that when individuals invest their own money in the form of a down payment, the potential homebuyers will be more motivated to maintain their mortgage obligations. For those ...
Discussion Paper
Subprime lending over time: the role of race
Analyzes the racial gap in subprime mortgages over time. The study estimates a portion of the gap that cannot be attributed to such characteristics as income, credit score, loan amount, degree of documentation, denial rate, residence in a minority tract, and debt-to-income ratio. It concludes that the unexplained portion suggests that bias in mortgage lending cannot be ruled out.
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: The Role of Small Businesses in Commercial Corridor Revitalization
Revitalizing the commercial sector in inner-city neighborhoods that have deteriorated is fraught with issues concerning, among others, the appropriate retail mix and location of establishments, as well as the impact of such efforts on residents and consumers. A key decision is who will serve as the prime mover for the revitalization activities. An article by Stacey Sutton takes a slightly unorthodox view by suggesting that small business owners are underexplored stakeholders who could spearhead a retail restructuring campaign. The following is a summary of the case she makes to support this ...
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: Making a Difference in the Lives of Young Men of Color
The plight of young men of color, whether it is in education, the labor market, or involvement in the criminal justice system, has been and remains a challenge. The difficulties in the various areas of these young men?s lives have been well documented over time. The problems of young men of color have also engendered numerous responses. Policy initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels as well as endeavors by foundations have been undertaken to address these dilemmas.
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: Youth Debt and College Graduation
The rise in debt among youth to finance their higher education has engendered a great deal of discussion. Much of the attention has been focused on the angst that arises when the debt has to be repaid. This has been especially burdensome on students from lower-income households. While this is worthy of concern, another aspect of the educational-related debt that is being examined is whether the debt was worth it. More specifically, what is the association of the debt with the borrower?s graduation from college? Some investigations not only consider the relationship between educational loans ...
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: Factors That Sustain Metropolitan Growth
The factors that underlie economic growth in metropolitan regions have been the subject of an increasing number of research efforts. Earlier research focused on the pace of growth. More recent investigations have been concerned with the resilience or capacity of regions to sustain growth paths, even in the face of external shocks. Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor add to the latter body of research by examining the growth spells among the 184 largest regions in the U.S. from 1990 to 2011.1 The authors are particularly interested in the role played by social equity. The following is a summary of ...
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: Innovative Ways to Build Savings and Wealth of Low-Income Families
The recent great recession took its financial toll on many families. Some who lost a portion of their wealth continue to struggle to find a foothold in the economy, while others have managed to regain their lost wealth. Some of the other sources of the financial instability that beset families have been attributed to the challenges associated with being a single-parent family, the volatility and fragility of income shocks, and the shredding of some safety nets. Ray Boshara, director of the Center for Household Financial Stability and assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. ...
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: Early Labor Experiences of Young Men: Underlying Factors and Later Consequences
Unemployment has deleterious effects on the overall health of the economy. Also, unemployment is debilitating to those experiencing it. For young entrants into the labor force, their early employment/unemployment experiences may be especially critical to their later labor market success. Thus, the initial transition-to-work period may foretell future employment status and wages/income. This is a particularly crucial juncture for young minority males who generally experience high rates of unemployment. Conventional wisdom suggests that higher educational attainment plays a prominent role in ...
Journal Article
Urban Education: Models That Work
A good education is a prerequisite for many employment opportunities today. In a weak economy when relatively few new jobs become available, the need for educational preparation becomes even more paramount. In low-income communities where the quality of many schools is dubious, the employment prospects of the attendees are grim. There is an ongoing debate about how to improve schools in these communities in order to enhance education levels and improve job readiness. While the merits of charter schools and the role of vocational-technical schools are being debated, there are some school ...
Journal Article
Spotlight on Research: The Distributional Impact of Negative Equity
The fallout from the recent meltdown in the housing market continues to afflict many homeowners today. A great deal of attention has been focused on the debilitating effects of a rise in foreclosures and falling house prices that accompanied the market downturn. The depressing effect of foreclosures on house prices has presented several challenges to homeowners. Declining home values have resulted in a number of homeowners owing more on their mortgage than their home is worth. Thus, the homeowners are saddled with negative equity, which is commonly referred to as ?being under water.? ...