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Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

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We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

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Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

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Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

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Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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In cities big and small across the United States, concerns about the supply and cost of housing are widespread. Main Street communities are no exception. Housing challenges are clearly on the minds of Main Street practitioners. At the virtual Main Street Now conference last year, the topic of housing repeatedly emerged in a variety of sessions, and in a recent survey conducted by Main Street America, 87 percent of Main Street managers indicated concern about the state of housing in their Main Street districts. But how could the housing circumstances of Main Street districts be improved?

With the generous support of the 1772 Foundation, Main Street America’s Research team recently launched the “At Home on Main Street” project, a four-part housing research initiative that aims to provide action-oriented recommendations and support the network in strengthening Main Streets through thoughtful housing development.

Today, we’re excited to share the first major release from this effort: a data-centric report on the state of housing in Main Street districts. The report, titled At Home on Main Street: A Report on the State of Housing in Downtown and Neighborhood Commercial Districts, includes insights from Main Street leaders and Main Street-oriented housing developers who recently participated in a virtual convening on this topic. It also includes analysis of brand-new census data focused on housing density, vacancy, age, cost, and more.

READ IT HERE

There will be more to come from this research initiative, including a series of case studies on promising solutions to the housing challenges and barriers to housing development that Main Street leaders describe seeing in their communities. Also forthcoming is an online self-auditing tool where Main Street managers and city officials can look up housing data on their communities, see how their communities’ housing circumstances compare with those of their surrounding areas, and get direction on potential solutions that may be helpful in supporting an improved state of housing where they are.

We’ll be discussing all of this and more at the Main Street Now Conference in Richmond next week, starting off with a 75-minute session on Monday morning at 10:45am. In Monday’s “At Home on Main Street” session, Mike Powe will discuss the housing data featured in the report and facilitate a discussion with attendees about how Main Street leaders can help close the gap between their current housing realities and the brighter housing futures that are within reach.

Other standout housing-focused sessions at Main Street Now will include: