Reports Offers COVID-19 Recovery Guidance for Struggling Communities

Center for Community Progress Senior Fellow Alan Mallach has written a report intended to "help communities across the U.S. look ahead to proactively consider and combat the budget, equity, and programmatic challenges of a post-COVID-19 environment."

The "Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst: Addressing the Aftermath Of The COVID-19 Pandemic In America’s Struggling Neighborhoods" report specifically addresses the challenges facing cities and neighborhoods that were struggling economically before the pandemic hit. Neighborhoods struggling before the pandemic are expected to experience some of the most difficult economic and social challenges as a result of the pandemic, according to the premise of the report. 

From the report's introduction:

Many, victimized not long ago by subprime lending and widespread foreclosures, had only begun to recover from the Great Recession. Many more were still mired in concentrated poverty and unemployment, while facing significant health and environmental challenges. Already economically stressed and physically disinvested, these areas are likely to see more rent and mortgage arrears than more prosperous areas. With weaker housing markets, they may see their modest recovery in recent years reversed by declining home sales and tighter credit. They are more dependent on public services than wealthier areas and will be harder hit as municipalities are forced to tighten their belts. 

The need for planning is already pressing, according to the report, but here's a good place to start on the hard work ahead.