Cleared for Development

Abstract

Recently planners, activists, and residents have begun asking if foreclosures have an effect on crime rates. The existence of such an effect could provide strategic guidance to community developers and organizers who are grappling with the ills of foreclosure and crime. Many community development corporations (CDCs) focus their limited resources on housing development instead of other tasks like CDCs, which has sparked debate about the proper roles of community development and organizing groups. If foreclosures and crime are linked, CDCs should develop strategies to combat foreclosure as a neighborhood safety imperative. Such strategies may take on more overt elements of community organizing and economic justice.