PD&R Edge Elist 06/19/2013

New on The Edge

In Practice:
Home Repair Assistance for Veterans in West Virginia
A new program in West Virginia will help veterans, active service members, and surviving spouses finance accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The program provides forgivable loans and is the first of its kind to be administered by a housing authority in the state.

Statistical Reports:
Housing Scorecard May 2013
The May 2013 Scorecard shows continuing progress across many key indicators — as the annual home price increase is the highest since the housing bubble burst in mid-2006 and purchases of new and existing homes remain strong. In the first quarter of 2013, homeowners’ equity grew by more than $815 billion, reaching its highest level since the first quarter of 2008. Officials caution, however, that a full housing recovery will take more time. The Administration's foreclosure mitigation programs continue to benefit millions of homeowners as the housing market recovers from an unprecedented crisis.

Policy Update:
Mixed-Income Community Dynamics: Five Insights from Ethnography
Researchers are increasingly turning to qualitative analysis to better understand the social dynamics of mixed-income communities. Ethnographic studies complement quantitative research by revealing the mechanisms underlying broad socioeconomic trends and presenting new perspectives on community development.