Resource Center

Policy Publications

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 Confernce, "Reinventing Older Communities: How Does Place Matter?"

Mortgage Foreclosure Filings in Maryland

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 Price George's County. A detailed executive summary is also available for download.

Update On Mortgage Originations, Delinquency and Foreclosures In Maryland

A presentation by Ira Goldstein of some of the findings from a soon-to-be-released study by TRF on behalf of the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition (BHPC).

Lost Values - A Study of Predatory Lending in Philadelphia

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.

Reinvestment Brief - The Economic Impact of Supermarkets on Their Surrounding Communities

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.

Mortgage Foreclosures in Baltimore, Maryland

Funded by the Goldseker Foundation, this study looks at mortgage foreclosures in Baltimore, Maryland. The study looks at mortgage foreclosures in the city over the last five years, describing causes and patterns that have emerged.

Mortgage Foreclosure Filings in Delaware

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.

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 offers employees of its portfolio companies each year. In addition to tax preparation, the program helps low-income wage earners claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) they may be eligible for. This study examined the effectiveness of TRF's free tax assistance program.

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 last summer of the foreclosure epidemic in the Poconos’ Monroe County.

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.

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.

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

An in-depth study of Pennsylvania’s current 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.

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.

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.

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.