Center for Civic Partnerships

Rural Housing and Economic Development

Although the national economy has prospered in recent years, rural communities face unique challenges in the areas of housing, communication technologies, economic growth and community development. Faced with lower population density, geographic isolation, fewer economic opportunities and limited adult education resources, rural communities have not experienced the same economic stability and growth as urban areas. These online resources provide research data, information, funding opportunities and development tools that are specifically designed for rural communities.

Online Tools and Resources

Applied Rural Telecommunications
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/aerie/
Provides rural communities with telecommunications tools to meet their community and economic development goals.

Aspen Institute
Community Strategies Group
http://www.aspeninst.org/csg/
Provides resources for rural community development.

California Farm Bureau Federation
http://www.cfbf.com
Non-governmental, non-partisan organization of the rural California farm and ranch community.

California Institute for Rural Studies
http://www.cirsinc.org/
Provides research and outreach on living conditions and economies of rural areas.

California Rural Development Council
http://www.ruralcalifornia.org
Advocate for programs that foster community sustainability and economic development initiatives in rural areas of California.

Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD)
http://www.card.iastate.edu/
Conducts policy research on agricultural and rural development issues.

Center for Applied Rural Information (CARI)
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/rural/
Develops and implements programs that focus on the opportunities and challenges of rural communities.

Center for Rural Affairs
http://www.cfra.org/
Non-profit organization that advocates for family farms and rural communities.

Congressional Rural Caucus
http://www.house.gov/emerson/crc/
Bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress who are committed to helping agricultural and rural America.

Directory of Rural Community Developers
http://www.ruralamerica.org/directory.htm
Directory lists rural community based development organizations (CBDOs) and summarizes their activities in four areas: Affordable Housing, Essential Facilities, Businesses and Jobs and Basic Services.

Economic Research Service – US Department of Agriculture
http://www.ers.usda.gov/
Provides multiple sources of information and publications on rural conditions and statistics in America.

Foundation for Rural Service
http://www.frs.org/
Provides information on the rural telecommunications industry.

Heartland Center for Leadership Development
http://www.4w.com/heartland/
Provides resources, training materials and public policies information for rural communities.

Housing Assistance Council
http://www.ruralhome.org/
National nonprofit corporation created to increase the availability of affordable housing in rural areas.

Kellogg Collection of Rural Community Development Resources
http://www.unl.edu/kellogg/
Rural community development materials funded by the Kellogg Foundation.

National Association of Counties – Rural Development Clearinghouse
http://www.naco.org/programs/comm_dev/rural/index.cfm
Provides information links, funding sources and success stories on rural housing and development.

National Center for Small Communities
http://www.natat.org/ncsc/Default.htm
Nonprofit organization providing services and resources to leaders of small communities.

Rural Community Assistance Corporation
http://www.rcac.org/
Provides technical assistance services and training on rural water, environment, housing, economic development and comprehensive community assessment and planning.

Rural Information Center
http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/
Rural Development Links and Resources.

Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
http://www.ruralisc.org/
Provides support to build the capacity of resident-led rural community development corporations; site includes an online tool kit and extensive links list.

Rural Policy Research Institute
http://www.rupri.org/
Provides analysis and facilitates public dialogue on the impacts of public policy on rural communities.

United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

Rural Housing Service
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/
Provides resources and links on rural issues.

Welfare Information Network – Rural Issues
http://www.welfareinfo.org/rural.htm
Site describes welfare reform challenges in rural areas.

Western Rural Development Center
http://www.ext.usu.edu/WRDC/
Facilitates rural development research and outreach projects to strengthen rural families, communities and businesses.

Rural Housing and Economic Development

Online Tools and Resources

Suggested Reading