Each week, New Urbs collects the best content we’ve read each week that we didn’t publish—but would have. Read something you think should make the cut? E-mail Jon Coppage or tag @NewUrbs with the link on Twitter.

“Promoting Opportunity by Making Housing More Affordable” by Reihan Salam via Room to Grow

Conservatives have good reason to focus on housing. Reforming our housing policies is crucial to helping low- and middle-income families climb the economic ladder. America’s housing market is shaped by public policy in countless ways, at the federal, state, and local levels. If our goal is to lift artificial burdens from the backs of American families, housing policy is an excellent place to start.

“What Your Local Parish and the New Hipster Bar Have in Common” via CNA

However, new residents don’t always give credit to the vital role the parishes have historically played in the communities – and still do to this day.

“You all just really need to move your church, you’re getting in the way of what we’re doing here,” new residents have told Fr. Kelley and other Bloomingdale pastors. The priest recalled one interaction with a new homeowner who criticized the churches’ presence in the area. “I remember saying to someone, ‘How long have you been here?’”

“Oh I moved in about six months ago,” the man responded.

“I’ve been here for 24 years,” Fr. Kelley told the new resident.

“The Local and the Global Lessons From Detroit” via The New Localization

The funny thing about the local economy is that it doesn’t seem important, until it is. In good times, everyone is your friend, and similarly in financial good times your options seem unlimited and buying local is not as competitive. But in tough times, when financially it makes no sense for anyone to stick with you, because you are more of a burden – will those friends still be there? This is the economic resilience that can only be home grown.

“New Urbs” is supported by a grant from the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.