GOVERNMENT

AND
COMMUNITY
Government role in the community development process is often an uncertainty as each
community has its own opinion on the matter. The inclusion of government, on
whatever level, is always a possibility with community development and it's a viable
option for those going through the process This article will explore the role that
government plays in community development and the circumstances that prompt its
involvement. Topics will also include government resources and programs that are
available during community development and the role that politics plays. Also included
will be the advantages and disadvantages communities are faced with when they
involve the government in the community development process.
 Is Government Involvement Necessary?
Whether or not any level of government involvement is necessary in community
development is going to depend on the community itself. Local governments prompt
and manage community development in their own jurisdictions all the time; it's a part
of their responsibilities to ensure a level of quality for residents. Many restrictions that
exist in today's society are in place through laws created and enforced by the
government. For some communities, this is the only involvement that government has
in their community development process and it's not necessarily going to be a negative
issue.
On the other hand, some communities are more than comfortable with the government
getting involved in their plans for community development for the resources they can
provide. They recognize that it may be a necessity for their efforts and can offer
benefits that they might not otherwise gain without it. The private sector, while it may
have a lot to offer, isn't going to have everything a community needs to improve itself;
government programs tend to be available to fill those gaps. Resources sponsored by
government offices are going to appeal to communities that desperately need the
programs and funding they provide in order to make improvements. Local government
involvement is often welcomed the most because it can act as a support system for
communities who may be dealing with less than stellar circumstances, even if it's just
encouragement from officials.3 Again, it's all dependent on the situation and the factors
present in a community during the community development process.
  Advantages
  
A community might not want or require government involvement in their community
development plans, but they may still consider it. There are certain advantages that
come with seeking assistance from the local, state, and federal governments that might
appeal to community leaders. Even if it's not a necessity needed to accomplish their
objectives, government resources can still give them a boost and make the process
easier. Some advantages to government involvement in community development
include:

         Funding-Access to money and other resources are definitely going to make

government involvement in the community development process look attractive. It's a
huge motivator and for many communities it may be an obstacle that is keeping them
from reaching their goals. There are a variety of programs on the federal and state
level-more on that later-that communities can apply for. Things like tax breaks that can
ease some of the financial burdens for communities, especially if they are using the
services of a CBO or a non-profit in the process. There's also project funding and loan
guarantees available to those that meet the necessary requirements.
 Lower Risks-When there is someone or something that has the knowledge and
resources to do something, it's more likely that it's going to get done the way it should.
Government involvement acts as both a guide and a buffer for community
development, and can lower some of the risks that communities have when making
improvements. The rules they put in place help keep things on track, which means it's a
little harder to accidentally or intentionally skip steps. There are also contingencies
attached to government programs and funding sources in the event of failure or issue;
communities using those resources are not going to be at a complete disadvantage if
something goes wrong.

         Protections-In addition to helping lower some of the risks that come with
community development, government involvement can also provide economic and
environmental protections.5 Protecting the things in their respective jurisdiction is a part
of the government's job after all. Enforcement of the community's rights and
regulations to prevent those rights from being abused or taken advantage off are going
to be the most common protections. Community development actions cannot be carried
out if they somehow harm the community as a result-repairs and improvements to
public spaces need to follow government-induced safety protocols, for example
Experience - Community development and urban planning tend to be
a part of the government's responsibilities, so officials often have
some experience with the community development process. It's
knowledge that can be a valuable resource, especially in young
communities where leaders may not be entirely sure of their actions.
Even some of the tasks that a community may need to complete in
order to implement improvements may involve actions that members
of the government do all the time in the course of their jobs.
 Disadvantages
For every advantage that something offers, there's a disadvantage. Communities that
are hesitant to involve any government assistance will usually cite the disadvantages as
a reason to go through the development process on their own. Even when the benefits
are all but guaranteed, community leaders still need to understand what potential
drawbacks may arise by seeking government assistance. Some may include:

         Restrictions - The same laws and rules that can help a community with their
improvements can also restrict their actions. There's a lot of politics and bureaucracy
with government involvement and it can be more trouble than it's worth at times. Some
communities will actually avoid or give up on certain goals because of the amount of
restrictions in place that are making it difficult to achieve them. Even if the restrictions
do not create such problems, they can still be incredibly frustrating to navigate through.
 Loss of Control - Possibly more of a fear than an actually, government involvement
can result in a loss of the community's control over the situation. Intervention is viewed
as a means of taking or restricting personal freedom, and community members are not
able to make the same decisions as easily without it.6 Such an imbalance of power can
lead to other issues and even impede the community development process' success. For
some, this is why government intervention is viewed more as a hostile takeover than a
benevolent assistance.

         Corruption-Government officials or leaders of any kind may have agendas that

are counteractive to the goals and objectives of the community, which may be viewed
as corrupt. Lobbying has become such a major part of government that many people
are concerned about the intentions behind their government leader's actions. 7 What
motivations are there and where are they coming from? Who's actually going to benefit
from this relationship and who's going to end up with the short end of the stick? Many
of the communities who choose to go through the community development process are
already at a disadvantage in society, which can make them a prime target of abuse from
anywhere-including corrupt members of the government.
 The Role Of Politics
When discussing government involvement in anything, politics are sure to be a factor.
Everything as of late seems to have a political side to it so it's not surprising that
politics plays a role in community development. Politics tend to be tied to people's
motivations and actions, so many of the goals a community has for improvement may
have or be influenced by a political agenda. This can include what is being done, how
it's being done, why it's being done, and who is involved.Those who enact
improvements and lead the community development process usually obtain some
degree of power and recognition for themselves within the community. It can help them
personally and it can help whatever cause they are a part of public support is going to
go towards what or who has proven that they are a beneficial force.

The role of politics in community development can also be problematic when the
government is involved.The community itself will have its own politics, and there's
always the potential that they can clash with the politics of those helping
them.10 Leaders in the process could reject any offers of assistance or resources from
the government if their political beliefs counter one another. The refusal of any
government assistance in and of itself can be political for communities that view
federal or even state-level involvement is an overstepping of boundaries.
 Available Government Programs
On a federal level, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is
going to be the main sources of government-sponsored community development
programs. They can come in the form of assistance for housing, health services,
financial aid, disaster relief, and finances like loans. HUD also manages the
Community Development Block Grant program or CDBG, which includes financial
and educational resources for communities in the community development process. The
department also oversees similar community development programs on the state levels
and manages the regulations and procedures that those programs need to adhere to.
Additional federal programs include:

         Community Economic Development (CED), a grant program offered through

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Community Services.

         TIGER or the Transportation Investment Generating Economic

Recovery, which is specific to development projects related to transportation. It's
offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the Recovery
Act.
The Sustainable Communities Partnership, which is a collaborative
effort between HUD, the DOT, and the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The partnership maintains an active list of federally
offered grants, programs, and assistance for communities. Non-federal
government programs are going to be different for each state, county,
and city in the country.

Determining what's available in your area for community development

and what the application process entails will require a bit of research.
Most of that information will be publically available in places like
government offices and websites. There may be local equivalents to
government-sponsored programs that are higher up in the hierarchy, like
the CDBG program. You can also contact your local representatives and
government officials for more information.