ProGov21 Policy Library

Air pollution, unsafe food and soils, substandard housing, and harmful procurement practices significantly impact early childhood development. Local governments are more agile than state and federal governments, and can implement policies related to climate change mitigation, public...

Suburban neighborhoods often develop without intentional land use policies or transportation infrastructure, and as they grow community members struggle with increased traffic congestion and limited mobility options. This policy brief recommends communities retrofit high-frequency...

Nonprofit hospitals can be powerful allies in helping to create healthier communities. In order to qualify for their nonprofit federal tax exemption, hospitals must be organized and operated for a “charitable purpose” or provide benefits to the community. These benefits are guided...

The issue of job-housing imbalance in Colorado's rural and mountain communities was identified, leading to long commutes and limited parking. State agencies should promote vanpooling as a cost-effective transportation alternative to alleviate commuting challenges. Vanpooling initiatives...

Unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions undermine residents' health and economic stability, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. The Healthy Housing Local Action Challenge (HHLAC) supports cities in advancing equitable housing programs through technical assistance,...

The high rates of obesity, food insecurity, and childhood poverty in Champaign, IL, have been identified as significant issues. To address this, the city should implement a Mobile Food Market to distribute organic produce, baby food, and other essentials to underserved neighborhoods....

Inequities in access to capital and investment opportunities continue to affect Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. To address this, community wealth-building models can be implemented to increase asset ownership and allow for community-led investment decisions. These models...

Community leaders should engage in comprehensive local action to reduce health disparities and address social determinants of health in their communities. The Legacy Community Alliance for Health provides training and resources to municipal staff across Wisconsin. It encourages collaboration...

Climate risk and resultant natural disasters have significant impacts on human and natural environments. This policy brief highlights the need for proactive disaster responses to maximize resilience and provides policy recommendations. Best practices include conducting hazard mapping,...