TRF's study of mortgage foreclosure filings in Maryland on behalf of the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition (BHPC). Led by Ira Goldstein, the study provides an in-depth look at the City of Baltimore, Montgomery County and Prince George's County. A detailed executive summary is also available for download. (2008)

A detailed local case study of predatory lending that includes the analysis of complete mortgage and sale histories for 15,500 properties in the city of Philadelphia from 2000 to 2003 as well as interviews with a broad range of subject experts. (2007)

Funded by the Goldseker Foundation, this study looks at mortgage foreclosures in Baltimore, Maryland. The study looks at mortgage foreclosures over a five year period, describing causes and patterns that have emerged. (2006)

TRF's study of mortgage foreclosure filings in Delaware for the State Bank Commissioner. The study provides a detailed analysis of trends, with an in-depth look at Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties in particular. (2006)

Mortgage Foreclosure Filings in Pennsylvania

TRF's in-depth study of mortgage foreclosure filings in Pennsylvania. The study was conducted for the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, expanding on TRF’s analysis from 2004 of the foreclosure epidemic in the Poconos’ Monroe County. (2005)

A Study of Mortgage Foreclosure Activity in Monroe County, Pennsylvania 2000-2003

TRF's thorough analysis of foreclosures in Monroe County, PA's second fastest growing county, provides the facts for State action on the crisis. See the core report or the comprehensive study with State action plan. (2004)

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh: Market Scan

TRF's research brief for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB). It was designed to provide the FHLB with a set of market data descriptive of its maket area: the states of Pennslvania, Delaware, and West Viginia. This brief includes a summary review of data and a concluding discussion of what these data suggest for the FHLB market going forward. (2007)

Understanding the Low African American Homeownership Rate in Southwestern Pennsylvania

TRF's study for Housing Opportunities, Inc., with funding from The Heinz Endowments. This report seeks to answer critical questions regarding the low rates of African American homeownership in Southwestern Pennsylvania. (2004)

Choices in Pennsylvania – Developing a Rational Framework for Housing Investment in Pennsylvania

An in-depth study of Pennsylvania’s housing market. Providing a basis for creating the State’s housing development strategy, the report focuses on the critical issues of community stability and public investment. (2000)

Choices: A Report on the State of the Region’s Housing Market

A course of action for rebuilding the Philadelphia region’s real estate market while seeking more regional activity around housing affordability. (2001)

Research on inner-city supermarkets indicates that many inner-city areas, especially those that are socioeconomically distressed, lack stores that offer quality fresh foods at competitive prices. With funding from the CDFI Fund, TRF studied whether, and the extent to which, economic explanations exist for the lack of supermarkets in distressed urban areas.

An analysis of the impact of new supermarket development on consumers and their surrounding communities. The study looks at three potential impacts: improved real estate value, new investment and lower prices.

Reinvestment Brief - NRLP: Assessing Impact

A TRF case study that examines the social and economic impacts of rental housing developed in a section of West Philadelphia by Neighborhood Restorations (NRLP), TRF’s largest affordable housing borrower.

Reinvestment Brief - Free Tax Assistance Program

A study of the Free Tax Assistance program TRF offered employees of its portfolio companies. In addition to tax preparation, the program helped low-income wage earners claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) they were eligible for. This study examines the effectiveness of the program.

Workforce and Economic Development 2002: An Agenda for Pennsylvania’s Next Governor

This gubernatorial campaign briefing paper outlines six major workforce system reforms designed to align the Commonwealth’s billion-dollar workforce system with its economic development objectives. The paper includes a summary of Pennsylvania’s entire workforce system listing federal and state funding sources, major clients, and selected outcomes for 49 different programs.

Workforce 2002: Measuring What Matters

This report argues that Pennsylvania needs a comprehensive performance management approach to its workforce programs so that they can be effectively evaluated and improved. The report proposes an evaluation framework and a model for an Annual Report on Pennsylvania’s Workforce Investment System.

Workforce 2001: Responding to the Challenge

This report provides quantitative and qualitative data to forecast employer hiring needs in information technology and customer service occupations. It concludes that both these occupations cut across all industries and that the demand for these workers would continue based on favorable economic growth.

Workforce 2000: An Annual Report on the Greater Philadelphia’s Labor Market

This report analyzed the demand for and supply of labor in the Philadelphia region and described the gaps that need to be addressed.

Workforce 2000: Regional Challenges & Strategic Initiatives

This report outlined five major workforce issues in the Philadelphia region and proposed five initiatives to address these issues.

Estimating the Percentage of Students Income-Eligible For Free and Reduced Price Lunch: A Study by The Reinvestment Fund for the School District of Philadelphia

This report presents the findings of a study designed to estimate the percent of Philadelphia public school students who are income-qualified for free or reduced price lunches. Eligibility was based on the United States Department of Agriculture’s “Income Eligibility Guidelines.” A summary of the report can be found here. (2008)

TRF Lecture on Economic Markets: TRF Lecture on Economic Markets and Public Purpose featuring Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com. Mr. Zandi spoke on the foreclosure crisis and fielded questions on the subject from the audience. Mr. Zandi is on TRF's Policy Advisory Board and Board of Directors. (2008)

Subprime Mortgage Lending in the District of Columbia: A Study for the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

An increase in the delinquency rate for all mortgages in the District of Columbia over the past year have resulted in more home foreclosures. Foreclosures can have a negative imact on neighborhoods and the entire city. This study offers an overview of subprime lending; a look at subprime lending in DC; and recommendations for how DC can help current and future borrowers. (2008)

Flight (or) Fight: Metropolitan Philadelphia and Its Future

Metropolitan Philadelphia is a place with extraordinary assets. It should be a region of choice, but it's not. Our region has seen minimal population growth and alarmingly low job growth. What's growing most rapidly is sprawl, and it’s hurting our region. It's time to think differently and make some big, positive changes.

The Fight for Metropolitan Philadelphia:
An Agenda

A follow-up to Flight or Fight, this agenda proposes three tangible state policy shifts that would have an immediate and significant impact on the region's growth patterns: reducing Philadelphia's wage tax, encouraging redevelopment of our older communities; and targeting state funding in and around communities with existing infrastructure rather than subsidizing the creation of new infrastructure on rural lands.

Stablilizing Neighborhoods with Concentrations of Vacant Properties

Ira Goldstein's presentation shared at the Federal Reserve System's Community Affairs Officers Conference held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

The presentation was part of a panel discussion outlining the current challenges in stabilizing neighborhoods impacted by high foreclosure rates.

Saving Homes - Saving Neighborhoods: Philadelphia's Data-Based Approach to Stabilizing Neighborhoods Threatened by Foreclosure

A presentation by Ira Goldstein at the National Governor's Association Center for Best Practices Summit on Foreclosures and Housing Solutions.

The summit offered state policymakers the opportunity to hear from national experts on actions states could take to mitigate the rising number of foreclosures, prevent future foreclosures, and sustain neighborhoods in a weakening economy. Other presentations from the Summit, including those given by Dr. Mark Zandi, Dr. Alice Rivlin and Allan Mallach can be found here. (2008)

Lost Values: A Study of Predatory Lending in Philadlephia

A presentation by Ira Goldstein to East Mt. Airy Neighbors at their Neighborhood Summit on Predatory Lending. The presentation offers highlights from the study and updated information for Philadelphia. (2008)

Update On Mortgage Originations, Delinquency and Foreclosures In Maryland

A presentation of key findings from a study by TRF on behalf of the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition (BHPC). (2008)

Using Data and Mapping to Identify Public and Private Investment Opportunities in Cities

A presentation by Ira Goldstein about TRF's Market Value Analysis (MVA). The presentation was part of a session at the Federal Reserve Board of Philadelphia's 2008 Conference, "Reinventing Older Communities: How Does Place Matter?" (2008)