Beyond the "Big Fish": Can NYC’s New Economic Model Defy the Attraction-Retention Trap?

For decades, the standard playbook for American urban development has been remarkably uniform: identify a corporate titan, dangle a suite of massive tax incentives, and hope the promise of a…

The Rise of the Collective: How Community Ownership Coalitions Are Reshaping the Housing Landscape

Across the United States, a quiet revolution is taking root in statehouses and city councils. Housing advocates, long accustomed to operating in the shadows of large-scale market developers, are increasingly…

The World Cup vs. The Vulnerable: Will Atlanta Repeat Its 1996 Legacy?

As the global spotlight turns toward Atlanta for the FIFA World Cup, the city finds itself balancing a high-stakes promise of international hospitality against a deepening crisis of conscience. While…

From Resistance to Resilience: How Pittsburgh’s Hill District Secured Its Future

When massive capital projects descend upon historic neighborhoods—be they stadiums, corporate headquarters, or expansive data centers—the resulting "community benefit agreement" (CBA) is often heralded as a shield against displacement. However,…

Beyond the "Big Fish" Trap: Can New York Forge a New Path for Urban Economic Development?

For decades, the standard playbook for American city officials has been remarkably consistent: identify a massive corporate entity, assemble a sprawling package of tax breaks and subsidies, and entice them…

Beyond the Bench: The Legislative Battle to Decriminalize Homelessness Post-Grants Pass

In June 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson that fundamentally altered the legal landscape of American homelessness.…

The Post-Grants Pass Landscape: The Struggle to Define Rights for the Unhoused

Nearly two years have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, a decision that fundamentally altered the legal terrain for…

Breaking the Cycle of Displacement: How Pittsburgh’s Hill District Built a Failure-Proof Community Fund

In the landscape of modern urban development, the Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) is often heralded as a shield for vulnerable neighborhoods. When developers arrive with promises of multi-million dollar projects—stadiums,…

From Displacement to Empowerment: How Pittsburgh’s Hill District Secured Its Future

When massive development projects—stadiums, corporate campuses, and data centers—descend upon urban neighborhoods, the script is often predictable: promises of jobs and investment are made, local residents are displaced, and the…

A Silent Crisis: Why the Future of Rural Housing Depends on the Rural Housing Service Reform Act

Across the vast landscape of rural America, a quiet but profound crisis is unfolding. While national media often focuses on the high-profile housing shortages in coastal cities and major metropolitan…