Financing community growth and sparking prosperity: Five housing projects CDFI financing has made possible

On Friday, March 14th, the Trump Administration released a new executive order calling for a reduction in personnel and operations at the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) to the bare minimum required by law. In the 30 years since the authorizing legislation was passed, CDFIs have become an essential pillar of community development … Continued

Economic development Land Use and Development

Declare your support: Join the National Complete Streets Coalition

The National Complete Streets Coalition invites current and future members to pledge their support for the coalition’s mission, values, and outcomes we’re working to achieve. Let us know that you’re on board to support our efforts to integrate people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation networks by filling out … Continued

Advocacy Complete Streets Transportation

The National Brownfields Coalition testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment in support of EPA Brownfields programs

On Tuesday, March 11th, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing focused on brownfields and economic revitalization in preparation for considering reauthorizing EPA’s brownfields programs. The National Brownfields Coalition was represented by Christa Stoneham, the CEO of the Houston Land Bank, who spoke about the value of EPA’s brownfields programs … Continued

Advocacy Land Use and Development

Reinvigorating Opportunity Zones to deliver housing and smart growth

The Trump-era Opportunity Zone tax incentive brought capital gains into community development in a new way. With Congress poised to consider extending the program in a tax package, it is an opportune time to highlight high-impact reforms that could help the tool better deliver much-needed homes, especially in locations with good access to jobs and … Continued

Advocacy LOCUS

Nearly 100 organizations show their support for the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act

The National Brownfields Coalition, with support from roughly 90 organizations, put together a letter in support of the reintroduction of the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act (H.R. 815). This bill, introduced by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) and Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH-10), will allow taxpayers to fully deduct the cleanup costs of contaminated property in … Continued

Advocacy Land Use and Development

2025 Complete Streets Leadership Academy launches in Kentucky this spring

The Complete Streets Leadership Academy is coming to Kentucky. This foundational program helps train local agencies and state Departments of Transportation to collaborate, innovate, and commit to making changes together to address road safety and create activity-friendly communities. Building on Kentucky’s ongoing Complete Streets work, the Academy will support road safety improvements through quick-build demonstration … Continued

Complete Streets Technical assistance

Five takeaways from our Eliminating zoning barriers to healthy communities webinar

Last week, The Center for Zoning Solutions hosted a webinar that explored how eliminating zoning barriers can help to create healthier communities for all to live, work, and thrive. Participants heard from the Honorable John Robert Smith on his experience with smart growth and increasing residents quality of life during his time as mayor in … Continued

Land Use and Development Zoning

Program launch: Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities technical assistance program

The Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS) is excited to announce the launch of the Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities (ZEST) technical assistance program. This free program directly supports community-based organizations working to change health inequities by supporting them through capacity building to reform local land use rules, improve health in their communities, and … Continued

Advancing Racial Equity Technical assistance Zoning

Balancing growth: Preserving small-scale retail through neighborhood investment

Today, local planners, policymakers, and community advocates across the country face the challenge of promoting economic development while ensuring that small-scale retailers—and the community culture they provide—continue to thrive. Drawing on examples from various cities—including insights from ICF in Redmond, Washington—we’re examining how gentrification offers an opportunity to preserve small-scale businesses and ensure equitable outcomes. … Continued

Economic development Land Use and Development Zoning