Racial discrimination and violent policing are negative externalities not typically considered in municipal bond ratings. For our investment choices to support Black communities, and as financial fiduciaries, we must review this vital risk assessment data. Since credit ratings agencies don't typically look closely at the data that point to racial and economic justice in a municipality, how can we access this critical decision-making information?

Arctaris Impact Investors announced two Opportunity Zone investments to provide workforce housing for low-income communities in rural Colorado. The total development cost is estimated at $60 million for these projects, which include a 100-unit workforce housing project in Glenwood Springs, a 96-unit workforce housing project in Grand Junction, and a 74-unit glamping campsite also in Grand Junction.

Today, HUD announced a major milestone for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, which has now facilitated more than $10 billion in capital investment since the program's inception to improve or replace 140,000 public housing units – the majority of which house extremely low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Providing Black farmers with land security was one of the reasons the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) D-Town Farm launched the GoFundMe campaign. With commercial real estate at a premium and out-of-town speculators holding on to land in Detroit, Black farmers feel more at risk of losing access to land they farm on but don't own. The fund is working with the city to modify the process for people who want to buy land through the Detroit Land Bank Authority, which owns about 90,000 parcels in Detroit.

As coronavirus cases surge across the country and new stay-at-home orders threaten further damage to an already fragile economic recovery, millions of Americans will lose crucial federal benefits if Congress can't come to an agreement on a new round of stimulus legislation.

Attom Data Solution's third-quarter opportunity zones report reveals that opportunity zones, like the housing market at large, experienced a strong quarter, which yielded price growth. However, those gains still fell below the pace of broader metro areas across the U.S., about 75 percent of which saw prices increase by more than 10 percent year over year.

When complete, The Peninsula will be a mixed-use neighborhood with up to 1,800 residential units, 2 million square feet of office space, and 400 hotel rooms developed over the next 10 to 15 years. Phase 1 of the project is supported by a $7.22 million New Community Authority & Tax Increment Financing-backed infrastructure bond for funding public roads and utilities, as well as capital lease structures.

Taxes were on the ballot in a number of states in the 2020 election, and the outcome of these statewide ballot initiatives will have a modest effect on state budgets, Fitch Ratings says. Voters split in their support of taxes against a backdrop of weakening state revenues. Measures targeting narrow types of activity or those with specific funding purposes fared better.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: Educational Facilities Funding Solutions
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 - 1:00 PM Eastern

NDC seeks to add another full-time Field Director for its eastern United States team. Field Directors deliver NDC's core services, including technical assistance and capacity building, to local governments and non-profit corporations. NDC also seeks to add a full-time Assistant Field Director. Assistant Directors assist Field Directors and other NDC staff in the delivery of NDC's core services.

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The Local Food Facility hopes to become a pivotal hub in the King County local food network, helping to grow businesses and connect local food partners. ECONorthwest's analysis led to conclude that this food facility concept could be financially sustainable if executed under the right ownership and governance model. This report by ECONorthwest summarizes our analysis and recommendations.

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