News
How Data and AI Will Power Local Housing Solutions in 2026
February 3, 2026
Dear City Leaders, If there’s one issue uniting cities across the Americas in 2026, it’s the need to build more housing. A shortage of safe and stable homes is driving an affordability crisis in urban areas across North, Central and South America. City leaders face some limitations when it comes to addressing housing. Factors such [...]
Celebrating 32 Cities Turning Data Into Results
January 14, 2026
Dear City Leaders, At Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities we believe that data is the bedrock of an effective, innovative and resilient government that improves the resident experience and delivers meaningful impact. Today, I am honored to share that 13 new cities achieved WWC Certification while 19 cities have built on their success by sustaining [...]
We Heard You: The New What Works Cities Experience
September 19, 2025
Three years since joining Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities, what inspires me most is the vibrant, multinational community we’re building together. Every visit with city leaders — whether in Bogotá, Colombia; Calgary, Canada; or Savannah, Georgia, — leaves me energized by the commitment to data-driven government. This community stands united in our belief that by [...]
Corona, California, Wins Results for America’s Sharman Stein Award for Storytelling Changemakers
July 31, 2025
Results for America (RFA) announced today that the Communications and Information Technology Departments in the City of Corona, California, have received the seventh annual Sharman Stein Award for Storytelling Changemakers. The award, which honors the memory of What Works Cities’ founding Director of Communications Sharman Stein, recognizes a local government team that cultivates trust and collaboration between government and residents through excellence in communications.
Four Cities Prove That Certification Isn’t the Destination
February 26, 2025
Leaders in What Works Cities Certified cities believe in a simple truth: When local governments invest in citywide data practices they’re building stronger communities. They also understand that building strong data practices isn’t a temporary initiative with What Works Cities Certification as the end goal. Improving city halls’ data capacity is an ongoing journey. One [...]
Results for America Awards 21 New Cities With the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification for Exceptional Use of Data
February 26, 2025
Eight U.S., four Canadian, and nine Latin American cities achieve first-ever Certification
How AI – Underpinned by Strong Data – Will Help Cities Combat Extreme Weather in 2025
February 18, 2025
Dear City Leaders, As I write this, the Los Angeles area is still reeling from devastating fires stoked by roaring winds and dry vegetation. Meanwhile, cities from Florida’s Gulf Coast to North Carolina’s Appalachian highlands are rebuilding after Hurricane Milton’s historic flooding. Phoenix was scorched last year by 113 straight days above 100 degrees, what [...]
Results for America Awards Nine New Cities With Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification for Exceptional Use of Data
June 17, 2024
Nine new cities in U.S. and Latin America achieve What Works Cities Certification.
Four Cities Show That Even ‘The Best at Using Data’ Can Get Better
June 17, 2024
For city leaders, making progress on their City Hall’s data capabilities is not a one-and-done exercise. Rather, it’s about continuous improvement — taking steps that build on one another and adapt to new technology or changed circumstances. That’s why at What Works Cities Certification, we talk a lot about cities being on a “data journey.” [...]
How Cities Can Harness the Power of AI in 2024
February 15, 2024
A letter from WWC Managing Director Rochelle Haynes on AI in cities