The influence of Catholic social teaching upon Catholic -sponsored community development corporations: The response to changes in federal housing policies, 1968--1999

The research explores the influence of Roman Catholic social teaching upon Catholic-sponsored community development corporations engaged in housing development in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas of St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, in their response to changes in federal housing policies affecting low-income families and urban neighborhoods during the period from 1968 through 1999. The research posits that Catholic social teaching influences the founding of Catholic-sponsored community development corporations because of the effects of changes in housing policies upon low-income families and neighborhoods.;The literature offers evidence for the effects of housing policies upon low-income populations and neighborhoods. Catholic social teaching literature since the Second Vatican Council has manifested a concern for the poor and their need for adequate housing. The literature offers evidence that many Catholic parishes have been involved with housing development since the late 1960s.;The research setting was the Catholic-sponsored community development corporations in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas of St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Methods included an historical analysis of housing policies from 1968 through 1999, a content analysis of relevant documents of Catholic social teaching from 1965 through 1999, interviews, survey questionnaires, and document reviews. The findings show that Catholic social teaching influences the mission of Catholic-sponsored community development corporations engaging in housing development in their response to the effects of housing policies upon low-income families and neighborhoods. The degree of influence ranges from direct to indirect.;The research offers evidence that Catholic social teaching influences Catholic-sponsored community development corporations to engage in housing development as a response to the effects of changes in housing policies upon low-income families and urban neighborhoods.