Federal Reserve Bank
of San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank
of San Francisco

Community Development Innovation Review

The Community Development Innovation Review focuses on bridging the gap between theory and practice, from as many viewpoints as possible. The goal of this journal is to promote cross-sector dialogue around a range of emerging issues and related investments that advance economic resilience and mobility for low- and moderate-income communities.

  • The Mental Health Imperative: Learning from History and Innovating Forward

    Benjamin F. Miller and Tyler Norris, Well Being Trust

    To chart a successful path forward, policymakers and community leaders must take a systems lens and provide thoughtful leadership, strategic community investment, and a comprehensive vision of health that includes mental, emotional, and social health.

  • Moving Upstream to Promote Mental Health: The Role of Community Development

    Laura Choi, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

    “Upstream” social factors, like neighborhood conditions, can have a profound impact on mental health, suggesting that community development has an important opportunity to proactively work across sectors and promote the mental health of low-income communities.

  • Widening Our Health Lens: Incorporating Trauma-Informed Practice into Affordable Housing

    Ashlei Hurst and Doug Shoemaker, Mercy Housing California

    This article discusses the implications of a trauma-informed lens for affordable housing developers and how building a comprehensive culture of trauma awareness and sensitivity can improve the life trajectory of young people living in affordable housing communities.

  • Building on What Works: Cross-Sector Community Development

    This issue of the Community Development Investment Review celebrates the five year anniversary of the book Investing in What Works for America’s Communities and builds on its themes by exploring innovations and lessons learned from cross-sector practice across a range of issues. The first section begins with reflections from some of the original authors and early adopters of What Works. It then examines two place-based, multi-site initiatives designed to strengthen collaborative leadership and effect systems change, and also highlights innovative approaches from across the country. The second section presents case study profiles of “community quarterbacks” from the Partners in Progress (PIP) initiative, a joint effort between the Citi Foundation and LIIF to provide flexible support and technical assistance to 14 community-based organizations. The case study profiles provide concrete examples of how community quarterbacks are working to marshal resources, build trust with residents, and break down silos, offering hard-won lessons learned for others in the field.

  • Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida

    Carl Sussman, Sussman Associates, and John Weiser, BWB Solutions

    A case study on Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida’s experience as a community quarterback in Miami and Hialeah, FL.

  • Fairfield Community Foundation

    Matthew Singh and Rachel Bluestein, Low Income Investment Fund

    A case study on Fairfield Community Foundation’s experience as a community quarterback in Bridgeport, CT.

  • East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

    Carl Sussman, Sussman Associates, and John Weiser, BWB Solutions

    A case study on EBALDC’s experience as a community quarterback in Oakland, CA.

  • Community Solutions

    Carl Sussman, Sussman Associates, and John Weiser, BWB Solutions

    A case study on Community Solution’s experience as a community quarterback in Brownsville, NY.

  • CASA

    Carl Sussman, Sussman Associates, and John Weiser, BWB Solutions

    A case study on CASA’s experience as a community quarterback in Langley Park, MD.

  • BRIDGE Housing

    Carl Sussman, Sussman Associates, and John Weiser, BWB Solutions

    A case study on BRIDGE Housing Corporation’s experience as a community quarterback in the Portrero neighborhood of San Francisco.