Housing affordability is about more than the list price of a home. San Antonio, for example, is one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States. The region’s rapid economic and population growth has caused local housing costs to increase faster than AMI for nearly two decades. For residents, that means homes are increasingly
By Cory Poris Plasch, Dr. Michael Adams, and Carroll G. Robinson How can we encourage young adults – particularly those of color, an often underrepresented demographic – to engage in the election process? That was the question researchers from Texas Southern University (TSU) and Polco sought to answer. TSU, a Historically Black College or University
There are countless reasons why supporting the early childhood workforce is central to an economically thriving community. Much like construction workers shape our infrastructure through building our cities’ roads, bridges, and buildings, the early childhood workforce plays an integral role in shaping the development of our most valuable resource—young children. Municipal leaders recognize the importance
There are more than 18 million veterans currently living in the United States, making up roughly 7.3 percent of the population. With Veterans Day approaching, here’s how local leaders can work to ensure that all people who honorably served our country have access to a safe home, designed to meet their specific needs. In some
In August, Congress approved a bipartisan two-year budget deal for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The agreement raises overall spending caps for defense and non-defense discretionary programs by $321 billion over two years. Funding for domestic programs will increase by 4.5%, or $27 billion, over the FY19 level. NLC’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget tracker tracks specific FY20 spending
By Kathleen M. O’Donnell, writer and editor at the American Institute of Architects. Austin, Texas, is a shining example of how sustainability can contribute to the development and growth of a city. Through its Office of Sustainability and the work of local architects, Austin provides a thoughtful framework for other cities to consider when crafting
There is no economic evidence that high quality physical places alone will lead to new businesses. Of course the physical infrastructure of a city impacts the ability for people to interact. And various issues, such as affordable housing, mobility and blight, hamstring countless cities. But when it comes to supporting new businesses, the prevailing zeitgeist
As part of Grand Rapids’ participation in the Cities of Opportunity pilot, an initiative to advance cross-sector health equity work, the city added health and environment as a new strategic priority. The National League of Cities (NLC) spoke with Becky Jo Glover, chief customer service and innovation officer for the City of Grand Rapids, and
By Bill Eller, vice president of Business Development at HomeServe. Americans 65 and older will make up 19 percent of the population by 2030 and approximately 10,000 baby boomers are eligible to retire daily. Many older adults would like to stay in their own homes, aging in place and in familiar surroundings. This is a
Closing the digital divide in America is more than just an infrastructure challenge—it’s an economic one, too. Across the country, too many homes and businesses still don’t have access to adequate broadband infrastructure, and in many communities the infrastructure in place is not enough to ensure that all residents get to participate in the local economy.
