Course Number:

Credit Hours:

2

Course Title:

Community Economic Development Law

Course Description:

Examines the legal issues and policy aspects that arise when governments, businesses, and nongovernment organizations encourage economic development activities in local communities, particularly low-income communities. These activities include community enterprise development, affordable housing development and finance, and the development of public policies and strategies for community revitalization. Addresses substantive legal matters primarily in corporation law, tax, real estate, and housing finance, with attention to other related legal and nonlegal disciplines. Discussions and readings focus on three primary areas: (1) theoretical studies that define and explain how to accomplish desirable community economic development; (2) practical issues that arise in structuring enterprises in a community development context; and (3) distinctive legal issues that arise in efforts to channel economic development in ways that further various social goals.