Categories: Real Estate, Land Use, and Community Law Administrative and Regulatory Law

Instructor(s)

Alexander, Lisa

Course Data

Room 3261
T 1:20pm-3:20pm

Pass/Fail: No

Course Description















Housing & Community Economic Development Law



 


This is a multi-disciplinary
course in which students will study the specific laws and regulations, as well
as the business and policy considerations, that underlie efforts to create neighborhood-based
non-profit organizations, develop affordable and low-income housing, stimulate
jobs and entrepreneurship, establish community-based financial institutions, and
develop commercial real estate in low-income primarily urban communities.  Although recent manifestations of Housing
&
CED policy have their roots in earlier
war on poverty, urban renewal, redevelopment and community action efforts of
the 1960’s and 1970s, the new market-based approach to
CED
is a distinct movement that began to flourish in the 1980’s during a period of
increased privatization and devolution of federal government stewardship of
public services.  Students will contrast
this predominately market-based philosophy of
CED
with the emerging equitable and accountable development movements. These
movements seek to ensure that low-income individuals are the primary stakeholders
and beneficiaries of development in their communities.



 


The central question in this course is: “What role do lawyers play in
CED efforts?”: We will address this
question from multiple perspectives including: (1) learning the substantive
legal skill set of
CED lawyers; (2)
performing in-class exercises; (3) hearing guest speakers discuss “live deals”;
(4) visiting
CED projects; and (5)
conducting research on critical
CED policy
initiatives, through group service learning projects with Madison area
CED
practitioners.



 


The main course requirements are
a 10-15 page final paper and participation in a research-based group service
learning project.  This course is a
3-credit class and will be subject to a cap of fifteen students. Permission of
the professor is required.


 

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