Community development utilizes local resources and generates local opportunities so that low-income individuals and communities can achieve greater levels of self-sufficiency.
Specific community development approaches can help stabilize and strengthen communities in a number of ways, from promoting affordable housing and job growth to investing in business development and real estate incentives.
These approaches — which can look vastly different at every site — have five features in common. They 1) help make communities resilient for the long term; 2) serve the broader interests of the community; 3) invite active and inclusive participation; 4) build on local resources and assets while meeting local needs; and 5) increase economic independence.