The State of the Cities 1999

Part One: The State of America's Cities

Finding #1: Thanks to a booming national economy, most cities are experiencing a strong fiscal and economic recovery. However, too many central cities are still left behind and continue to face the challenges of population decline, loss of middle-class families, slow job growth, income inequality, and poverty.

Finding #2: Some older suburbs are experiencing problems once associated with urban areas-job loss, population decline, crime, and disinvestment. Simultaneously, many suburbs, including newer ones, are straining under sprawling growth that creates traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, loss of open spaces, and other sprawl-related problems and a lack of affordable housing.

Finding #3: There is a strong consensus on the need for joint city/suburb strategies to address sprawl and the structural decline of cities and older suburbs. We now have an historic opportunity for cooperation between cities and counties, urban as well as suburban, to address the challenges facing our metropolitan areas.

1. Opening Doors to New Markets

2. Investing in America's Working Men and Women

3. Expanding Homeownership and Affordable Rental Housing

4. Promoting Smarter Growth and Livable Communities

Conclusion

List of Exhibits

Appendix A: The Administration's FY2000 Budget Highlights For Cities and Suburban Communities

Appendix B: Individual City and Suburb Results for Exhibit 4

Endnotes