Access Architecture’s Post

Growth is happening all over St. Catharines! 📈 Did you know the value of construction in St. Catharines was estimated at more than $300 million in 2022, a 21 per cent increase over 2021? St. Catharines has planning policies and incentive programs in place designed to encourage development and redevelopment that meet the needs of the community. Learn more about the City's Community Improvement Plan and proposed amendments here: https://bit.ly/3SjVqhe

Spikes in rent, unaffordable and unlivable housing, small businesses shutting down, evictions by developers: urban dwellers are facing a housing crisis across major cities in North America. In response, there has been a growing grassroots movement of tenant and working class communities coming together to take land off the speculative real estate market and reserve it for community benefit. This February, join Chiyi T., a leader in the Community Land Trust movement, for the what, why, and how of community land trusts in this online course. This is an ideal course for anyone with curiosity for alternatives to our current housing and real estate system. This course includes an introduction to: - property and land ownership issues, including colonial private property relations - anti-capitalist approaches to land and participatory models of land use - case studies of Indigenous-led, Black-led, and Chinatown community land trusts in North America - debates, case studies, theoretical literature, and practical tools concerning the CLT movement in North America Saturdays February 3, 10, 17, 24  Time: 12pm - 1:30pm ET on Zoom For more details: https://shorturl.at/anDFZ *Fully-funded spots available*

CLT Resource Alert: Our Researchers are attending today's webinar, "Chinatown Land Trusts in Action: A Path to Community Resilience," hosted by Next City. For decades, Chinatowns have collectively acquired properties via community land trusts to resist being displaced in gentrifying neighborhoods. Tune into the conversation with us today, hosted by Oscar Abello, to understand the new challenges CLTs now face and how communities are organizing in Los Angeles, Toronto, and Boston https://lnkd.in/ejXbu2UR?

Hey Wyoming - Have you heard about the power of Urban Renewal as a tool to help achieve community goals? If you'd like to find out more information about how this tool can assist with achieving your plans for redevelopment, economic development and housing projects, consider attending the upcoming URA summit in Laramie this July.

Check out this great post Mira Brown, CMCA, PCAM wrote for Quorum! If you live in a Community Association, dealing with nearby construction is inevitable, whether it's regular maintenance or a neighbor's renovation. Mira shares valuable tips on how to manage these projects, covering everything from unpredictable timelines and permits to clear communication and minimizing disruptions, especially with more people working from home. Stay prepared and informed to navigate the challenges of construction smoothly! https://lnkd.in/eRWEk7u9

In the article below, Lee Patke, Executive Director of Greccio Housing, shares GPR's journey of the Bentley Commons Development- from a dream to reality. Affordable housing isn't just about shelter; it's about preserving our community's vitality. As Erika Tunson, principal of Monterey Elementary, rightly points out, it's an investment in our future, ensuring teachers and families in Southeast #ColoradoSprings can thrive without the burden of high housing costs. Read the full article here➡https://lnkd.in/dqj4BM-g

Building equity for homeowners is something that we take pride in at Habitat GSF. According to one Habitat GSF homeowner, “We are able to not stress about how much are we going to pay every month, we are building equity and savings, we have been able to go to college, we feel safe at HOME!” Learn more about our community impact here: https://lnkd.in/g8rrxkhQ

As we continue #HousingFuturesMonth, it's crucial to acknowledge the profound impact of spatial injustice on our communities. Growing up in the 1960s and '70s, I witnessed firsthand how Black neighborhoods across the nation were systematically targeted and torn apart for urban renewal projects and highway construction. In my own hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, the construction of a new freeway fractured our community, displacing many and severing access to opportunity for those who remained. This history, shared by many Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, underscores the urgent need for change. Reparative spatial justice offers a path to confront these past injustices and design a more equitable future. Across the country, initiatives like the return of ancestral land to the Tongva people in Los Angeles and the housing reparations program in Evanston, Illinois, signal the beginning of a movement towards repair and redress in land and housing policy. Earlier this year at @PolicyLink, we announced our Spatial Futures Fellowship, which aims to uplift those dedicated to this cause, serving as the architects of a new America rooted in love for our communities. These changemakers are not merely critiquing; they are taking bold action to shape our collective future. #SpatialJustice #Reparations #CommunityTransformation Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQhhVwdZ

Excited to see the progress of our master planned community NorthShore, located along the St. Mary’s River in Camden County, Coastal Georgia. This 629-home community at build out includes a market-leading, resort-style amenity package including a 3,400 sqft clubhouse, boat launch, floating dock, observation deck, playground, and passive recreational/sports fields.   NorthShore is a classic Drapac investment play: we identified a prime asset in an undervalued growth market, acquired it for a fraction of the infrastructure value, and added significant value during the hold period by undertaking thoughtful and strategic initiatives to restore and improve the community.   A critical piece of our investment strategy has been to bring in multiple homebuilding partners including 1) Century Communities (NYSE: CCS), 2) Maronda Homes, and 3) Smith Family Homes. This approach has resulted in tremendous success for both the builders and overall community; builders are seeing strong absorption and price growth, and the community is appealing to a wider audience with a range of products and price points.   Camden County is experiencing significant growth due to shifting demographic factors (+8% population and +26% household income growth over the last 5 years) and the expansion of regional economic drivers, which has translated directly to increased demand and home sale prices (+64% over the last 5 years). https://lnkd.in/dKTubEn9

City of Salisbury, Maryland is pleased to announce a collaborative effort with the ESRGC to conduct a comprehensive housing quality study. Utilizing ESRI’s Survey 123 and Field Maps applications, the ESRGC will oversee the deployment of student interns to conduct approximately 11,481 field surveys across the City. The primary objective of this housing study, commencing on June 1, 2024, is to collect housing quality information crucial for informed decision-making. The study aims to replicate the housing study conducted in 2018 to produce comparison-capable data. This information will be invaluable for making decisions about priority remediation, potential solutions, and neighborhood comparisons of disrepair. https://lnkd.in/d3GfSrWm