OUP - Abstract

Reinvesting in Community: the Organizational Impacts of Community Reinvestment

Dissertation School: Temple University

Pages: 297

Publication Date: March 2000

Availability:
Available from the HUD USER Helpdesk P.O. Box 23268 Washington, DC 20026-3268 Toll Free: 1-800-245-2691 Fax: 1-202-708-9981 Email: oup@oup.org

Access Number: 10721

Descriptors:
Community based organizations. Loans. Community Reinvestment Act. Low- income households.

Abstract:
This dissertation explores the relationships that develop between community organizations and lenders through the CRA process and questions the impact of CRA activities on the capacity of local groups. Enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act has largely taken place through regulation from below, wherein community organizations have monitored bank activities and been active in holding lenders accountable to their surrounding communities. Given this level of activism and involvement, this study explores the effect of community reinvestment activism on local organizations. Specifically, this research assesses those outcomes of the community reinvestment process that are not direct mortgage or small business loans for low- and moderate-income residents. This study presents the argument that community reinvestment activities improve the capacity of community organizations. The ability of these groups to service their communities is thus altered as a result of monitoring banks and holding them accountable to the CRA. It presents the argument that because of the need to organize CRA campaigns and because of the capacity developments that come about as a result, social capital in low-income communities may be improved as well. [AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED]

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