“The national American Housing Survey, conducted every 2 years by the Bureau of Census for HUD, provides detailed data on housing costs, home financing, household equipment, housing and neighborhood conditions, and the households that occupy them. Data are based on a sample of 55,000 housing units and are reported by region and nationally.” This data, along with prior surveys are available to download.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
The Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing and other types of related legal issues are discussed on this site of a Mental Health Legal Clinic.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy
http://www.brook.edu/ES/URBANCEN/URBAN_hp.htm
“Seeking to shape a new generation of urban policies that will help build strong cities and metropolitan regions,” this site includes a variety of working papers, Forum proceedings, articles about better community development policies, education, the environment, and other features related to creating better neighborhoods.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Legal / Policy
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/cfda/
This site contains information on all financial and nonfinancial assistance programs administered by the departments and establishments of the United States Federal government, and is fully indexed with program descriptions, application information and other pertinent topics.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
This site includes information about every subject covered by the United States Census, and is fully searchable. Frequently updated, it provides the most current housing information in a variety of formats and subject headings for your ease of location, with most indexed, obviously, under the “H” heading.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Design / Architectural, Neighborhood / Community, Hospice / Healthcare, Shelter / Homeless
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
http://www.cbpp.org/
“The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs, with an emphasis on those affecting low- and moderate-income people.” Their site details past reports, ongoing studies, and a wealth of information regarding federal and state policies affecting primarily moderate- and low-income residents in the fields of healthcare, housing, and poverty.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Shelter / Homeless
Coalition to Preserve the Fair Housing Act
http://www.bazelon.org/cpfha/cpfha.html
“The Coalition has been formed in response to several legislative threats to the 1988 Fair Housing Act.” Details of the legislation’s history and progress, subsequent problems, and ongoing investigations are included.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
Community Connections
http://www.comcon.org/
This site is “The Information Center for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Office of Community Planning and Development,” and provides program regulations, descriptions of model programs, case studies of affordable housing initiatives, publications on expanding affordable housing opportunities, funding information, training and conference announcements, and referrals to technical assistance providers.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
This site it the main locale for the DHHS online, and includes information from the Administration on Aging and several health-related agencies with related Fair and affordable housing issues.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Fair housing, Assisted Living, Hospice / Healthcare
The site for the United States’ primary Housing agency, this page includes everything you ever wanted to know about the ongoings of the Department. It contains a variety of information about business opportunities, communities, homes (buying, renting, finding), and HUD news. Updated nearly every day, this is an excellent site.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community, Shelter / Homeless, Transitional
Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Program
http://www.ezec.gov/
This site details the “Presidential Initiative designed to afford communities real opportunities for growth and revitalization,” through its discussion of economic opportunity, sustainable community development, community-based partnerships, and strategic vision for change. Information about community tools, research projects, ongoing programs, and information about the Presidential Initiative in general is available throughout the searchable site. Available in English or Spanish.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network — US Department of Energy
http://www.eren.doe.gov/
The Department Of Energy’s website for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC/EREN) encompasses a wide variety of information including Home Energy magazine, energy efficiency solutions for residences, free subscription to mailing list updates, and “Ask An Energy Expert.”
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Environmental / Sustainable
Energy Information Administration
http://www.eia.doe.gov/
This site contains comprehensive data and information relevant to energy resources and reserves, energy production, energy demand, energy technologies, and related financial and statistical information as it pertains to construction and life-cycle costs and efficiency.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Legal / Policy, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
“The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment–air, water, and land–upon which life depends,” and their website reflects that mission. Information is available on this searchable site about programs, projects, environmental concerns, energy efficiency, reducing housing construction costs, news, events, other resources, and tribal issues.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Legal / Policy, Construction / Product, Environmental / Sustainable
“The Fannie Mae Foundation supports national and local nonprofit organizations working to provide decent and affordable housing, and otherwise improve the quality of life, in communities throughout the United States.” Information on their site includes past newsletters, their annual report, and descriptions of projects and programs to help the homeless, housing research, and community outreach services.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Neighborhood / Community, Shelter / Homeless
Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA)
This site details FINCA’s efforts to assist families in poverty through methods of village banking–a means to provide small business loans within communities by residents themselves–both internationally and within the US. Primarily lead by female residents, this programs lends itself to empowerment not only based within the community, business sector or low-income residents, but within the gender as well.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, Multi-National, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Neighborhood / Community
Green Lights and Energy Star
http://www.epa.gov/greenlights.html
The site for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Lights and Energy Star program is aimed at promoting energy efficiency through investment in energy-saving lighting. The program saves money for homes, businesses and organizations, and leads to a cleaner environment by reducing pollutants released into the environment. Information about their publications, software tools, support programs, participants and recent bulletins is included.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Construction / Product, Environmental / Sustainable
This site is home to a “coalition of local design professionals and environmental organizations who are researching, designing, and building an affordable, energy and resource efficient house in partnership with Washington, DC Habitat for Humanity.” Facts about landscaping, recycling, energy efficiency, composting and related constructing methods are included, as well as volunteer opportunities and contact information.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, State / Regional / Local, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
Higher Ground: Faith Communities and Community Building
http://www.hud.gov/sessay5.html
Written in 1996 by then-Secretary of United States’ Housing and Urban Development Henry G. Cisneros, this site details in book-format the potential religious institutions have to contribute to community rebuilding and housing in our cities’ decaying centers.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
Housing for Seniors: Developing Successful Projects
http://www.uli.org/presroom/pr950707.htm
This site contains a 1995 press release from the Urban Land Institute about the release of this book regarding elderly housing and related issues. Ordering information is available.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Neighborhood / Community, Assisted Living, Hospice / Healthcare
HUDUser: Web Office of Policy Development and Research
This excellent site provides information about HUD’s publications, research and development, programs and initiatives, and an extensive searchable list of housing related links. Also included in this list are a variety of data sets containing information about a variety of United States housing statistics, trends, tax credits, mortgages, and cities. Various publications are also available for browsing and purchase online.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
This site for the IDA provides information about its goal, programs, services, awards, members, conferences, and publications. Striving to promote urban centers as vibrant places to live, work, and recreate, the site includes information about how to do so, and links to related sites.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, Multi-National, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
A publisher and website created to “help meet the need for accessible, solutions-oriented information through a unique approach that addresses the multidisciplinary nature of environmental problems,” this searchable site includes information about their publications, authors, solutions, and suggestions. Book orders are taken online, and links to related sites are also offered.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Legal / Policy, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community
Jewish Information and Reference Service of Greater Washington
This site maintains a massive directory for Jewish services and resources in the Washington, DC, region, including a variety of listed housing options and services.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Special Interest / Minority, Assisted Living, Hospice / Healthcare, Shelter / Homeless
This site provides information about NADO’s training sessions, informational services, research projects, legislative policy and advocacy, publications, and an immense list of housing and development related links.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
National Association of Home Builders
http://www.nahb.com/
This site provides information about building products, conferences and events, financing, remodeling, new construction, and other issues related to home-building. Becoming a member of NAHB gives you additional access to their online resources. This site also includes information about the newly formed, NAHB-sponsored National Council of the Housing Industry.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Index / Periodical, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
This site is home to the NAHRO whose mission is to be “the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans, particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes.” The site includes information about membership, publications, conferences, seminars, affordable housing and HOME, and an excellent links page. Becoming a member of NAHB gives you additional access to their online resources.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
National Coalition for the Homeless
http://nch.ari.net/
This is a site from one of the United States’ foremost national advocacy networks for ending homelessness. Especially notable here is a narrative describing one family’s path into homelessness, and the Coalition’s searchable database of bibliographic resources available for purchase. Also included are facts about homelessness, links to current legislation and policy issues on the topic, a directory of state and national organizations on homelessness, upcoming conferences, and other useful resources.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Shelter / Homeless, Single Room Occupancy, Transitional
National Community Reinvestment Coalition
http://www.ffhsj.com/fairlend/ncrc.htm
This site, on the Fair Lending Guide page, is the home of this agency who “seeks to increase fair and equal access to credit and banking services for lower income and minority communities.” Their site includes minimal information about objectives, services, and publications, but contact information is provided.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Special Interest / Minority
National Fair Housing Alliance
http://www.incacorp.com/nfha
This site provides out-of-date policy information, but still includes current contact address and telephone numbers.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Fair housing
National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project
http://nch.ari.net/nhcrop.html
This site details the National Housing Institute’s plan to generate a national network for homelessness advocacy and civil rights. Their mission “to prevent and combat the violation of homeless people’s civil rights focuses on linking homeless individuals and families, and the grassroots efforts that they lead, into a national network in order fortify those local efforts and to strengthen cooperation.” Contact information is provided.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Shelter / Homeless, Transitional
National Homeownership Strategy For Native Americans
http://www.codetalk.fed.us/strategy.html
Located on the American Indian website, this site explains goals, objectives, and ongoing projects of this agency geared toward providing homeownership opportunities for Native Americans and assisting with Native Americans’ home financing needs. Links are provided to other topics of interest and to related Native American housing sites.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
The Institute and its website examine issues of “poverty and racism, disinvestment and lack of employment, safety, education, and breakdown of the social fabric” in effort to alleviate the crisis in American housing and community. The searchable site provides past and current issues of their newsletter “Shelterforce,” policy alerts, research and reports, as well as employment opportunities within the housing field.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
National Leased Housing Association
http://www.worldweb.net/~hudnlha/
This site focuses on NLHA’s efforts in “dealing with changing political and economic realities of low and moderate income rental housing.” Membership, meeting, and organization information is provided along with a few important housing related links.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted
“The mission of the National Urban League is to assist African Americans in the achievement of social and economic equality.” Their site includes details about their departments, programs, services, publications, events, sponsors, and employment opportunities.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
Neighborhood Networks
http://www.hud.gov/nnw/nnw
This site provides strategic planning information from HUD, and the site includes information pertaining to their mission to “enhance the self-sufficiency, employability, and economic self-reliance of low-income families and the elderly living in HUD-insured and -assisted properties by providing such residents with onsite access to computer and training resources.” Their publications, programs, resources and links to other sites are also listed.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/
A division of the Department of Health and Human Services, this searchable site provides information about homelessness, disability and aging, poverty, and specific guidelines, programs, and services for housing people within those categories.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Special Interest / Minority, Assisted Living, Hospice / Healthcare, Shelter / Homeless, Transitional
This site is home to a trade association which details the benefits of passive solar energy as a method of cooling and heating efficiently. Details of energy efficient homes are included as well as information, resources, and links regarding lowering housing construction and maintenance costs as a result of incorporating green building methods in the design.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA)
This site is home to PHADA, a professional trade association of Public Housing Authority officials. Information about their publications, membership, meetings, conferences, and other scheduled events is provided, as well as information about welfare reform, related housing concerns, and similar websites.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy
This site is the “technology home page for local governments,” providing membership, publications and news information, as well as links to related sites, employment listings, archives, and organization missions and goals.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Legal / Policy
Solstice — Center for Renewable Environment and Sustainable Technology
http://solstice.crest.org/index.shtml
This site details energy efficiency, renewable energy and provides a variety of sustainable technology information. Information on reducing energy usage, and increasing affordability is included, as well as links to related sites.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
THOMAS — Congress on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov/
A service of the Library of Congress, this fully searchable site provides information about legislation currently in the United States House of Representatives and Senate.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Index / Periodical, Legal / Policy
This site details site inspection, home mortgages, ongoing legislation, flood insurance, contract reviews and similar ownership topics. Information is also provided about home improvements, remodeling kitchens and baths, landscaping and gardening, and buying and selling your home.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Legal / Policy, Design / Architectural, Neighborhood / Community
This site hosts this nonprofit policy research organization that “investigates the social and economic problems confronting the nation, government policies, and public and private programs designed to alleviate them.” Available information includes fact sheets, ongoing research, past research reports, bibliographies, publications, employment listings, and other pertinent information.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy
With a mission to “provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment,” ULI and its website strive to provide ample information to members, officials, and the public about urban planning, growth, and development. Information on this site includes conference, meeting and event dates, a continuing education database, research agendas, project reference files (you must be a member to have access to full text files), their online bookstore, and an extensive resource directory.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community, Assisted Living, Hospice / Healthcare, Manufactured, Shelter / Homeless, Single Room Occupancy, Transitional
World Idea Networks
http://www.worldideanet.org/
This site is home to WIN, “Networking the Best Ideas on Cities, Towns, and Neighborhoods.” This site showcases upcoming events, recent legislation, purchasable publications, summaries of research findings, and schedules of events, conferences, and speakers relating to city, town, and neighborhood development.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community