DO COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENTS BENEFIT COMMUNITIES?

This Boston Fed article traces the evolution of community benefits agreements (CBAs) as a tool for ensuring low-income residents share in the gains of large-scale development projects. Drawing on the Kingsbridge Armory case in New York and examples from New England, it shows how inclusive, representative coalitions can negotiate living wages, local hiring, community spaces, and environmental benefits that otherwise might be overlooked. While CBAs are resource-intensive and imperfect, they demonstrate the power of organized communities to hold developers accountable and secure long-term economic value for neighborhoods. This aligns with Aspen CSG’s commitment to centering community voice and ensuring that economic development builds shared prosperity rather than displacement.