Making a Place for Communityargues that misguided politics at the local, state and national level have damaged local community life in the United States. Such policies not only undermine America's long-term economic health, they weaken the basis of local democracy. In the absence of a sustained policy commitment to stabilize the economic basis of healthy communities, isolated attempts to "revitalize" downtown or strengthen community values will remain hopelessly inadequate. Grounded in decades of research, this work offers brilliant solutions that defy conventional wisdom. Without busting the budget and halting development, the authors' smart new policies and grass-roots solutions, from land trusts to local ownership, show how to reign in sprawl and anchor jobs in the community.