| First-suburbs in the U.S. currently face a host of problems conventionally associated with urban areas. Over the last several decades first-suburbs have exhibited characteristics of "suburban decline" characterized by shrinking business districts, declining deteriorating residential neighborhoods, population loss, and the emergence of crime. However, unlike their urban counterparts, which often receive federal, state, and county level support, first-suburbs often lack the support mechanisms necessary to alleviate decline and encourage community reinvestment. More recently, the problems facing first-suburbs have been exacerbated with the current foreclosure crisis and economic recession. With elected officials and administrators of first-suburban communities facing budget constraints and increased threats to neighborhood stability, it is important to revisit the idea of social capital as a tool for community development. The use of social capital as a mechanism of community development has been explored for over the last two decades. However, much of the research on this topic focused on its role and function in the revitalization of low-income communities across the United States and beyond; and to a lesser extent on low to middle-income first-suburban communities within the US. In addition, as the problems that were formally associated with the inner-city are now visible in first- suburb neighborhoods, new prospects arise for CDCs to play an active role in the redevelopment of inner-ring suburban communities.;This research provides a descriptive analysis of how social capital is mobilized and acts as a catalyst for addressing problems of neighborhood blight, aging housing stock, foreclosure prevention, fighting crime, declining homeownership opportunities, and overall community image within first-suburbs. Using a case study methodology, this research investigated the present role and future potential of: 1) community social capital as a community development tool within the first-suburbs; and 2) urban non-profit housing CDCs in promoting neighborhood revitalization within the first-suburbs. The study found that the social capital was valuable within first-suburb communities in promoting community development initiatives to promote neighborhood stability and quality of life standards. The study findings illustrates how community-based organizations (CBOs) operational in first-suburbs are focused on promoting improvements to community safety and quality of life within their neighborhoods and business corridors. The study also demonstrates the changing role of non-profit housing CDCs in an era of first-suburban economic distress. Non-profit housing CDCs in Hamilton County, Ohio, have adapted their practices to an inner-suburban context, and taken a more regional (or at least multi-local) approach to community redevelopment. The study concludes with a proposed a set of social capital typologies within first-suburbs, including policy recommendations for community development practitioners, scholars, and local government officials. |
