Community Development
To support the growth of an inclusive economy, we work with low- and moderate-income communities to increase access to credit, quality jobs, education, and housing. We also help financial institutions understand their responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act.
Workforce & Economic Development
Working Paper
Do Research Universities Recession-Proof Their Regions? Evidence from State Flagship College Towns
WP 26-08 – Using synthetic differences-in-differences models, the authors study whether U.S. counties containing state flagship universities experienced resiliency via lower unemployment rates during the past three U.S. recessions.
Workforce & Economic Development
Article
Has Generative Artificial Intelligence Adoption Impacted Labor Demand at Third District Firms?
According to a survey from late October 2025, about half of the respondent firms in Delaware, southern New Jersey, and eastern and central Pennsylvania are using generative artificial intelligence, but few see a need to reduce their workforce.
Brief
Affordability Challenges and Barriers to Homeownership in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s housing market is facing challenges as homeownership becomes increasingly unattainable for many residents. This analysis examines trends from 2005 to 2024, revealing how rising costs, stagnant incomes, and challenges to access to credit are reshaping the housing landscape.
Home Mortgage Explorer
13 May ’25
This refreshed tool offers an easy way to view local trends in mortgage lending between 2010 and 2023. Find data for home purchase, refinance, and home improvement mortgages, and visualize trends by applicant income, gender, and race and ethnicity.
About
Community Development and Regional Outreach Visiting Scholars
Updated: January 2025
Academics, experts, and thinkers with focus areas aligned with the Community Development and Regional Outreach department are key collaborators as participants in the Visiting Scholars Program.
Consumer Credit Explorer
08 Jul ’25
The Consumer Credit Explorer (CCE) is an interactive tool for examining trends in consumer credit use at the regional, state, and national levels.
