Faith-Based Organizations In Community Development
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Faith-Based Organizations In Community Development
Prepared for U. S. Department of Housing and Community Development Office of Policy Development and Research
Prepared By: The Urban Institute Avis C. Vidal
August 2001
The contents of this report are the views of the contractor, and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of the U.S. Government.
FOREWORD
Recently, there has been greater recognition and value given to the contributions of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in providing social services. Historically, FBOs have been particularly prominent in providing food, clothing, and shelter to people in need. Faith-based organizations have also assumed a role in helping promote housing and community development. Some fourteen percent of community development corporations (CDCs) are faith-based. The activities of Habitat for Humanity in providing homeownership opportunities are well-known. Nearly half of all sponsors of housing for the elderly developed by HUD are faith-based. The importance of faith-based organizations in our communities is underlined by the Bush Administration’s creation of a new Office of Faith-Based Activities. The initiative will take advantage of the energy, experience, and commitment of such faith-based organizations by expanding their role. As a federal agency with a long history of working with