Chapter 14 – Community Development & Housing
Community development is people working together to improve their community’s social, economic, and physical well-being. It’s essentially about improving the quality of life for people within the community.
Community development can show up in many ways. It might mean fixing up homes, helping neighborhood shops grow their business, creating training programs so people can get better jobs, or making parks and streets safer and more welcoming. At its heart, it’s about giving residents a real voice in decisions so that changes improve life for everyone, not just a few.
This chapter will pay a lot of attention to the issue of housing. Housing is a persistent problem in many neighborhoods, particularly those affected by economic decline and a lack of affordable options. In these areas, high housing costs, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited access to financial resources make it difficult for residents to secure stable housing.
Because government and market solutions alone have not fully addressed these issues, nonprofits have stepped in to bridge the gap. They provide both immediate relief and long-term community development efforts.
In Northeast Ohio, a range of nonprofits address housing needs in different ways. The Salvation Army, The City Mission, and others provide immediate relief for individuals and families experiencing homelessness by offering temporary shelter, meals, and supportive services.
At the same time, organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, different community development corporations (CDCs), and others focus on long-term solutions by building and rehabilitating affordable housing. CDCs often lead neighborhood revitalization projects that expand housing options and strengthen local economies, while Habitat for Humanity constructs homes for families in need with significant support from volunteers.
History of Nonprofits Working on Housing
Northeast Ohio has relied heavily on housing-focused nonprofits to address the region’s housing challenges. As industrial jobs declined and economic hardship increased, nonprofits stepped in to fill gaps left by public and private sectors. CDCs emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to urban decline, working to restore and stabilize neighborhoods. Meanwhile, organizations like Habitat for Humanity and The City Mission grew their efforts to help low-income families secure stable housing. Today, these nonprofits continue to play an essential role in addressing housing shortages, homelessness, and community development across the region.
