HCDPR Research Toolkit
Underserved communities have often been overlooked by policy makers and researchers. When policy and research do focus on these populations, their voices often are silenced or ignored. Given their history, staff, and location, history, staff, and location, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are in a unique position given their history, staff, and location to highlight the voices of the underserved, center research on these populations, and help overcome the disparities observed through the U.S. This toolkit is intended to facilitate this process. Enjoy! And please offer your questions and concerns to us as we continue to struggle to foreground the concerns and voices of the underserved in policy development.
Research on Underserved Communities
Underserved Communities
Underserved communities are defined as populations which face barriers in accessing comprehensive healthcare, housing, economic resources and education. These include racial/ethnic minorities, people of low-income households, immigrants (documented and undocumented), disabled people, LGBTQ, homeless, refugees, and structurally unemployed individuals in rural and urban settings.
Policy Research
Policy research is the process of conducting research on, or analysis of, a fundamental social problem in order to provide policymakers with pragmatic, action-oriented recommendations for alleviating the problem.
Important Resources for Research on Underserved Communities
Research on urban and housing issues affecting underserved populations can be strengthened using existing resources at federal, state, and local sites. There are also research groups (“think tanks”) that have important research to review and build on. Some useful sites are listed below.
Resources
U.S. Housing and Urban Development
Access to federal research publications, datasets, and information relevant to housing and urban conditions.
U.S. Bureau of the Census
Comprehensive data on population, housing, income, poverty, and more, including detailed demographic and economic statistics.
U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of Economic Analysis
Economic data and analysis, including GDP, personal income, and regional economic development statistics.
National Institutes of Health
Health-related research and data, including biomedical literature and health studies. U.S. Department of Agriculture and Economic Research Service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture and Economic Research Service
Economic and policy topics related to agriculture, food security, rural economy, and environmental impacts.
Urban Institute
Data analysis and policy recommendations focused on underserved urban populations.
Brookings Institution
Research and policy analysis on urban issues and underserved populations.
Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
Labor and economic issues, providing data and policy recommendations to support underserved populations.
Guidelines for Research Recruitment of Underserved Populations (EERC)
Ford Foundation
Supports poverty reduction and social justice initiatives, including diversity in higher education.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Improves health and health care in the U.S., focusing on health equity and community well-being.
The Russell Sage Foundation
Funds research on social issues, including behavioral economics, work, race, and social inequality.