Franklin Roosevelt described decent housing as a basic human right. So why has the federal government been cutting housing assistance — especially in rural communities? And why are both the Obama administration and House Republicans targeting housing for cuts during the lame duck session of Congress?

Dee Davis's call for a new perspective on Eastern Kentucky (which you can find here) draws a strong reply from another longtime leader of community development.

There are no guarantees. It seemed that Shawneetown, Illinois, and New Geneva, Pennsylvania, were destined for long term prosperity, but history was unkind. Can they and other dwindling towns turn the tide? 

Two grant programs foster local development and identity by placing the focus on arts, putting creativity and collaboration at the center of placemaking.