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Community Issues and Insights
Community Issues Survey
“The most critical issues for the customers we serve relate to the lack of affordable housing and the increase in costs for basic needs and services. This is beginning to impact homeowners, as we are starting to see a slight uptick in folks’ falling behind on their mortgages.”—Community service provider in Ohio who responded to the March 2025 survey
Twice a year, the Community Development Department at the Cleveland Fed administers the Community Issues Survey (CIS). Its goal is to collect information such as the quote above from direct service providers to monitor economic conditions and identify issues impacting low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in the region. Respondents are asked about jobs, housing, financial well-being, access to credit, and other issues that have a significant impact on the welfare of the communities they serve.
Key Findings from the March 2025 Survey
- Job availability: Only 16 percent of respondents said that job availability for LMI workers had increased in the past six months, marking a continued steady decline from the high of 78 percent in the March 2022 survey. Most respondents (57 percent) said that there had been no change (Figure 1).
- Affordable housing availability: Sixty-three percent of respondents said that the availability of affordable housing had continued to decrease over the past six months (Figure 1). This share has exceeded 50 percent since the March 2020 survey (47 percent).
- Financial well-being and access to credit: Seventy-six percent of respondents reported that financial well-being for LMI people had decreased over the past six months, while the same share of respondents said that access to credit had remained unchanged over the past six months (Figure 1).
- Top concerns for LMI households: Respondents’ top concerns were rising rents, the shortage of affordable housing, and the continued impact of price increases on households’ budgets.
- Top concerns for nonprofit organizations: Nonprofit organizations reported that demand for their services remains high, consistent with responses to previous surveys, while capacity remains steady. Organizations expressed concern about funding, particularly uncertainty over federal sources. To compensate for this, they said that they are making strategic adjustments such as increasing fundraising and limiting services.
Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) Indices
These indices reflect changes in economic conditions in LMI communities. In the indices referenced here, each response to a survey question is categorized as “increased,” “decreased,” or “no change.” More information on how the indices are constructed can be found in the report.
Participate in the Community Issues Survey
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