Stephen P. Finn

expertise: community development, neighborhood-based planning, community organization, economic development, affordable housing

STEPHEN P. FINN is an Assistant Research Professor and Director of Project Community, which is a CUPR initiative to provide research to community-based organizations. Project Community, begun in October 1994, marshals the resources of Rutgers faculty and students to implement research on community development projects requested by community-based organizations. Through this initiative, linkage have been established with various departments and research facilities at Rutgers, such as the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the School of Business,and the Center for Social and Community Development of the School of Social Work. Research completed to date includes the economic impact of a proposed $290 million bond initiative for affordable housing and jobs in New Jersey, analysis of census data to target economic development lending in distressed counties by a community loan fund, and a neighborhood survey of residential involvement and concerns.

Current projects include an analysis of community retail needs to select businesses for a proposed commercial revitalization and business incubator project, examination of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data to determine women's access to mortgage lending, and a neighborhood needs assessment.

Mr. Finn holds a master's degree in social work from Rutgers. His undergraduate concentration was in economics and urban studies. Finn's previous professional experience was in the areas of administration, planning, and policy. As the former executive director of a Newark, New Jersey-based nonprofit coalition, Mr. Finn engaged in public housing tenant organizing and monitoring of a lawsuit that resulted in the construction of 659 new townhouse apartments for low-income families. He was the project coordinator for Jersey City's Homeless Program and managed the city's expansion of specialized housing and supportive health and social services for special needs populations.

Mr. Finn has written successful grants to foundations and all levels of government. He has authored policy and planning documents and has presented testimony at governmental hearings.

stfinn@rci.rutgers.edu