Builds upon the narratives of community development activists to describe how they bring about affordable, quality housing, commercial opportunities and empowerment within poor areas.

Honorable Mention, 2003 Paul Davidoff Award presented by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning

Renewing Hope within Neighborhoods of Despair builds upon narratives provided by leaders of community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to describe how they bring about affordable, quality housing, commercial opportunities, and employment within poor areas. The book illustrates both the obstacles CBDOs face and how these obstacles are overcome, in part by leveraging resources for social change projects from foundations, government and intermediaries. Guiding the effort of the developmental activists is an organic theory that explains what can and should be accomplished. The material extends new institutionalism models of inter-organizational behavior.