Independent for Life: Homes and Neighborhoods for an Aging America

In Independent for Life, former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros and a team of experts on aging, architecture, construction, health, finance, and politics assess the current state of housing and present new possibilities that realistically address the interrelated issues of housing, communities, services, and financial concerns.

Independent for Life covers a wide range of smart solutions, including remodeling current housing and building new homes for accessibility and safety, retrofitting existing neighborhoods to connect needed services and amenities, and planning new communities that work well for people of all ages. Case studies show how the proposals can be implemented. The authors offer action plans for working with policy makers at local, state, and national levels to address the larger issues of aging in place, including family financial security, real estate markets, and the limitations of public support. Lists of essential resources, including a detailed "to do" list of aging in place priorities and an individual home assessment, complete the volume.

Published 2012

Latinos and the Nation's Future

Whether the predominant ethnic group in baseball, the ''swing vote'' in various elections, or the people who introduced one of the country's most popular condiments, salsa, it is clear that the influence of Latinos is widespread and growing each year. The Census Bureau estimates that Latinos will grow by 63 million people or a stunning 48% of total growth to make up 25% of the United States population by 2050. Editor Henry G. Cisneros, the first Hispanic mayor of a major U.S. city and former HUD Secretary, says these numbers are not reversible by closing borders, they ''are the simple demographic trajectory of people already living in the U.S.''

In his chapter that opens this landmark collection of essays about the future of the U.S., Cisneros asserts that the country cannot continue its historic path of growth, progress, and greatness without substantial improvements in the Latino community s economic and educational status. The fate of the nation is inextricably linked to that of the Hispanic community not only because of its size, but also because of its relative youthfulness as other populations grow older and leave the workforce. There is absolutely no doubt that the success and well-being of Latinos or lack thereof will impact the country as a whole.

The outgrowth of a conference involving Latino leaders and exploring the impact of the dynamic growth of the Hispanic population in the U.S., Latinos and the Nation's Future contains essays by leading scholars, civil rights leaders and other professionals on issues impacting the advancement of Latino citizens and therefore, all U.S. citizens. Although the future is never certain, it is inevitable that the Latino community is destined to shape the future of the United States, and Cisneros contends, it is imperative that Americans accept this fact and work to harness its growth, develop its educational potential, engage its community-building energies, and transform it into the next middle class.

Published 2009

Our Communities, Our Homes: Pathways to Housing and Homeownership in America's Cities and States

From the authors of Opportunity and Progress: a Bipartisan Platform for National Housing Policy, comes a bipartisan and comprehensive approach for communities and states to end chronic homelessness, revitalize public housing, provide workforce housing and sustain homeownership. Based on an examination of successful housing programs in U.S. cities, the book's key finding is that the most effective programs look at the housing continuum -- supportive housing, public housing, rental housing and for-sale homes -- as parts of a whole rather than separate, unrelated programs. Such a holistic approach, say the authors, takes into account how shortages in one area can negatively impact other areas. The authors cite specific actions and tools that local and state governments can take toward achieving such important goals as reducing chronic homelessness, preserving affordable rental homes, and boosting sustainable homeownership.

Published 2007

(Source: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University)

Casa Y Comunidad: Latino Home and Neighborhood Design

Another 2 million Latino families will enter the housing market by 2009. This ground-breaking publication takes the first-ever look at the growing and increasingly prosperous Latino community and their housing needs and helps prepare all segments of the housing industry to truly understand and work with this market. Contributors share their expertise in Latino culture and home buying habits to produce practical guidelines for builders, community designers, site planners, and those involved in housing finance. Includes information on Latino culture, housing and neighborhood design, financial habits, consumer preferences, and much more. Packed with colorful photos, data, and success stories.

Published 2006 

(Source: BuilderBooks.com)

Opportunity and Progress: A Bipartisan Platform for National Housing Policy

Henry Cisneros, Jack Kemp, Kent Colton, and Nicolas Retsinas reassert housing as a national priority and ask that the federal government assume its place at the table partnering with states, localities, and both public and private sector organizations to address housing issues throughout the nation.

Interwoven Destinies: Cities and the Nation

In this book of thirteen original essays edited by Cisneros, contributors assess the challenges of U.S. cities' shrinking employment base, rising minority populations, and decreaing share of federal and state aid. They then suggest practical ideas to reinvent urban government, rebuild infrastructure and housing, revitalize communities, reinvest in amenities, and reorganize urban justice, education and health care systems.