Federal grant programs for community development: déjà vu and policy paradoxes in an ill-fated initiative

Abstract

This article reviews and analyzes the goals and approaches espoused in the George W. Bush administration’s proposed Strengthening America’s Communities Initiative (SACI). Drawing on a variety of materials describing the rationale, purpose, assumptions, goals, and components of the newest policy approach to community and economic development, this paper tries to critically examine the initiative using a capacity-building framework and some of the historical antecedents of Federal grant programs for community development - including some defunct programs - to inform current discussion about the proposal. Two conclusions of this analysis are that this proposal has much more in common with previous administrations’ proposals for development over the last several decades than its advocates are suggesting and that this policy, like most, is a study in paradoxes and compromises.

Citation

Honadle, B.W. (2008), "Federal grant programs for community development: déjà vu and policy paradoxes in an ill-fated initiative", Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 72-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBAFM-20-01-2008-B005