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Thursday, September 2, 2010

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Home > Community Development > Community Development Publications & Videos > Discussion Papers

Discussion Papers

The following discussion papers examine issues of affordable housing, community and economic development, financial education, and consumer credit and payments that affect low- and moderate-income people and communities.

Economic and Social Impact of Introducing Casino Gambling: A Review and Assessment of the Literature (661 KB, 34 pages) 

Reviews and assesses the existing literature on the potential economic impact of introducing casino gambling into a community or region, first by discussing the casinos’ effect on economic activity and growth within a community or region, and then by exploring their effect on government revenues. Also discusses the literature related to the economic impact of social costs widely associated with gambling, such as increases in crime, bankruptcy, and problem gambling.

Affordability and Availability of Rental Housing in Pennsylvania

Can be found in the Special Reports section of the website.

Alternative Financial Service Providers and the Spatial Void Hypothesis (3.8 MB, 33 pages)

Examines the use of alternative financial service providers (AFSPs) such as check-cashing outlets and pawnshops in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, and Allegheny counties. Also explores whether these providers are disproportionately serving minority and low-income areas.

Alternative Financial Service Providers and the Spatial Void Hypothesis: The Case of New Jersey and Delaware (936 KB, 18 pages)

Continues the use of the spatial void hypothesis methodology to analyze the location of alternative financial service providers, such as check cashing outlets and pawn shops, in New Castle County, Delaware, and Atlantic, Mercer, Monmouth, and Passaic counties in New Jersey. Also explores whether these providers are disproportionately serving minority and low-income areas.

Alternative Financial Vehicles: Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) (749 KB, 31 pages)

Describes how ROSCAs work and discusses the benefits that accrue to ROSCA participants and some of the costs they incur. Of particular interest is the introduction of a partial data set collected from a local ROSCA, which offers a glimpse of the capital costs ROSCA participants face and which could ultimately be contrasted with the capital costs faced by borrowers at mainstream financial institutions.

Financial Resources for the Environment: The Unsuccessful Attempt to Create a Private Financing Intermediary for Brownfield Redevelopment Projects (2.06 MB, 38 pages)

Analyzes an unsuccessful attempt to establish a financing intermediary for the development of environmentally contaminated property (commonly known as brownfields) in Pennsylvania. The proposed intermediary was called Financial Resources for the Environment.

Home Ownership Education and Counseling: Issues in Research and Definition
(109 KB, 31 pages)

Assesses existing research on the effectiveness of home-ownership education and counseling and opportunities for future research.

How to Spend $3.92 Billion: Stabilizing Neighborhoods by Addressing Foreclosed and Abandoned Properties (326 KB, 27 pages)

Gives guidance on the best use of funds appropriated by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 for the purpose of assisting states, counties, and cities in their efforts to stablize hard-hit neighborhoods. The discussion paper was written by Alan Mallach, visiting scholar at the Bank.

The Impact of Housing Rehabilitation on Local Neighborhoods: The Case of the St. Joseph's Carpenter Society (2.92 MB, 25 pages)

Presents the results of a Philadelphia Fed study that analyzes whether the community development efforts of a nonprofit in Camden, NJ, have an effect on local neighborhoods.

Preserving Multifamily Rental Housing: Improving Financing Options in New Jersey (645 KB, 44 pages)

Summarizes the obstacles to financing small multifamily rental properties in New Jersey and makes recommendations for policies to address this credit need.

Preserving Multifamily Rental Housing: Noteworthy Multifamily Assistance Programs (289 KB, 34 pages)

Describes noteworthy multifamily-assistance programs around the country, including mortgage-insurance, secondary-market, technical-assistance, and tax-abatement programs. Produced by the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Philadelphia.