The blog of the Urban Institute
In the news:
Content Reference
Image
![.](https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_1160x653/public/2023-12/GettyImages-1240448591_crop.jpg?h=1ae9b375&itok=BlPNegyv)
Summary
New Point-in-Time count data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development show homelessness has increased 12.1 percent from 2022 to 2023.
Tackling Contraband Cell Phones in State Departments of Corrections Survey data show contraband cell phones in state prisons can pose security and public safety risks, but correctional officials need more information to combat the problem.Local Data Are Key to Closing the Racial Wealth Gap The Data Center in New Orleans has developed a new methodology for producing local wealth estimates.Freddie Mac’s New Second-Lien Pilot Is a First Step toward Helping Borrowers, but the Cap Is Too Restrictive A new federal pilot could offer borrowers an alternative to cash-out refinancing and fill a gap in the market, but the volume cap will prove limiting.How Afghans Uplifted Their Community’s Resettlement Needs as Community-Engaged Researchers For World Refugee Day, we spoke with five Afghans who trained as community-based researchers and interviewed evacuees about their experiences and needs as they resettled in the United States.Five Ways to Address Unsheltered Homelessness, No Matter How SCOTUS Rules on Grants Pass v. Johnson The research is clear: jurisdictions cannot fine and cite their way to ending unsheltered homelessness.Baby Bonds and Child Development Accounts Need to Provide Meaningful Funding Amounts to Make a Difference. Where Could the Money Come From? To effectively close racial wealth gaps, early-life wealth-building programs need significant funding, but they are often at the mercy of budget cuts and funding battles.