Community Development Strategies Evaluation: A Local Government Perspective. A Report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel

摘要

This report summarizes the work of the Independent Local Government Review Panel for the Community Development Strategies Evaluation, an effort by HUD to provide guidance for local officials and community leaders for the most effective expenditure of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The HUD study is examining a wide range of CDBG program impacts in a number of neighborhoods in each of nine diverse cities. Though the emphasis is on residential rehabilitation, the study also includes other aspects of community development, such as redevelopment, public services and facilities, and citizen participation. The panel was established to provide regular input to the study; it consists of 12 local officials and representatives of 5 public interest organizations. This report covers the operation of the panel, summarizes the major discussion and results of panel reviews, outlines the panel's major interests for the next 2 years, and describes the issues that have developed as a result of the panel's efforts. The panel selected 13 study tasks and has, to some degree, dealt with 9. The study tasks include the impacts of residential rehabilitation and redevelopment, neighborhood community development strategies, the effects of community development activities on perceptions and attitudes, and citizen participation and neighborhood organizations. Each of the tasks is discussed. Panel recommendations are offered regarding the need to clarify the study's purpose and to integrate the study tasks. The panel proposes to play a direct role in assuring that the research is relevant to Federal and local policy questions. A few footnotes and tables are presented. The dates of panel meetings and comments are appended.