Building Economic Security in America’s Cities

Posted by on February 14, 2011

CFED Report Highlights Municipal Strategies for Financial Empowerment

A new report by CFED, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunity for low-income families and communities, highlights the work cities across the country are doing to educate, empower and protect residents in the financial marketplace.

“Building Economic Security in America’s Cities: New Municipal Strategies for Asset Building and Financial Empowerment” represents a comprehensive effort to document the range of municipal policies and programs that are being used to enhance the financial security of low-income families during a time of deep recession.

The report highlights local governments as new and powerful players in creating opportunities for financial stability for individuals and families. Cities have begun to augment traditional efforts that have aimed to increase residents’ income through job creation and job training strategies and subsidies. They are now developing programs to increase residents’ knowledge of and access to affordable financial products and services, provide them with incentives to save and invest, and help them protect their assets.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Providence Mayor Angel Tavares, San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros, New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz, and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell joined CFED in unveiling the report several weeks ago.  To learn more about city financial empowerment strategies, contact Sarah Bainton Kahn at (202) 626-3044 or bainton@nlc.org.

» Download the report: http://cfed.org/assets/pdfs/BuildingEconomicSecurityInAmericasCities.pdf
» View a recording of the release event: http://cfed.org/knowledge_center/events/building_economic_security_in_americas_cities_release_event/