Century Housing’s Post

Kudos to Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Illinois Housing Development Authority, and RAGE (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) for bringing this closed school to community serving and oriented revitalization. The damage and aftermath of the closure, challenging in its own right, is exacerbated by the more than decade long period of a former community anchor remaining dormant and inoperative. Ja'Net Defell, PMP, LEED Green Associate- identifying a commercial use with some prospect of profitability within a development like this, or immediately adjacent, could be a great investment for a CIV, leveraging and building community wealth with public investment. https://lnkd.in/gHhgN6eP

Where we live plays a pivotal role in our lives. Access to affordable, safe, and stable housing isn't just about having a roof over our heads; it's about our health, education, and economic opportunities. Decades of racial segregation, systemic biases, and discriminatory housing policies have led to housing challenges that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. We know that systems change is neither swift nor effortless. At Progressive Multiplier, we are actively helping our partner organizations find different funding sources to support their work. Here's what some of our partners are doing to diversify their funding: 🍃 For The Many is a driving force in housing justice, advocating for the Hudson Valley's tenant rights and anti-homelessness programs while investing in innovative revenue-generation projects: a Relational Fundraising Program and Building a Major Donor Base. 🍃 PA Stands Up Up ensures safe, healthy homes through its Whole Home Repairs program, addressing housing and climate injustice. This initiative funds critical repairs, supports low-income residents, and creates family-sustaining jobs. They're investing in a membership program that organizes both people and money for their mission. 🍃 Abundant Housing LA launched a 12-part training series for individuals interested in public policy, housing development, land use, or architecture careers. In its pilot year, it certified 38 students and generated $44,200 in revenue while also creating a valuable pipeline for advocacy and policy work in support of its mission to make housing in LA County more affordable and diverse.

To help create more inclusive communities, Karp Strategies supported The Century Foundation in identifying proactive ways to talk to voters across New York State about the intricate connections between public education,housing policy and exclusionary zoning. Fear of school overcrowding and the competition for resources were found to be the leading point in opposition to housing reform. Read more insights by Halley Potter  & Alex Edwards from The Century Foundation, elucidating ties between zoning & school quality: https://lnkd.in/efbNHrZv #CommunityDevelopment #EducationEquity #ExclusionaryZoning #FairHousing #HousingReform #Housing #ResearchInsights #UrbanEquity #ZoningPolicy

In Western states, the dual challenges of housing shortages and evolving perspectives on managing vast tracts of state-owned lands earmarked primarily for public school funding have emerged. In certain regions, there is a growing recognition among state leaders that these lands present an opportunity to encourage development, addressing the pressing need for more affordable housing. 🏡🌲 #HousingShortage #StateOwnedLands #AffordableHousing #LandDevelopment #PublicSchoolFunding #HousingSolutions

Call to Action! 'The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Commons Select Committee has launched an Inquiry on “Children, young people and the built environment”. This is the first opportunity to put forward evidence about the role of children and young people in the built environment, as well as the need for reforms in the sector. The deadline for submissions of evidence is short. You need to email the committee by the 2nd of January 2024!. The questions range from the experience of young people, the planning system, best practice and policy examples to cross-government working and not all need answers. TET (ThorntonEducationTrust) Education Trust, together with Simeon Shtebunaev, has created a template letter with some common prompts and wording to help and encourage as many members of our community of practice to submit evidence , so as to make it easier for people to start their replies. Deadline 2nd January 2024 We have also provided guidance on how to submit your representation and would be happy to answer any questions. TET would like to monitor who has replied to the campaign through us, so please bcc: info@thorntoneducationtrust.org in your emails to the Committee. We can then track how many representations were made and if all of them were considered by the committee. We will upload representations on the website as people share them with us so that we can learn from each other. TEMPLATE https://lnkd.in/gDFHMTEX Children, young people and the built environment Inquiry Remit: The Committee is seeking evidence on the following points: 1.The experiences of children and young people of their built environment How do children and young people experience outdoor spaces in towns, cities and rural areas across the country? For example, their streets, estates, villages, neighbourhoods and parks?   How do these experiences vary across income, race, gender, age?   How easily can children and young people travel to outdoor spaces and schools? How has this changed over the years?  2. The planning system How well are children and young people’s needs currently met by the planning process in terms of policy and guidance?  How are children and young people’s views and voices heard, considered and acted upon in the planning system if at all?  3. Best practice and evaluation  Where are the examples of policy and good practice that are improving children and young people’s experiences in the built environment, either directly or indirectly, in the UK or internationally?  How are these outcomes measured? For example, through economic or health and wellbeing indicators?  4.Cross Government working How does the relationship of children and young people with the built environment overlap with policy areas beyond the work of DLUHC, such as public health, transport, policing and net zero? Let's make a difference 🙂 Simeon Shtebunaev TET (ThorntonEducationTrust) Neil Pinder

Alhambra Elementary School District is selling surplus land to the City of Phoenix, AZ USA to create affordable housing, following the example of nearby Isaac School District No. 5. The sale allows the district to address two important issues: community need and declining enrollment. For the Isaac transaction, the Phoenix IDA utilized tax-exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits to fund the purchase on behalf of UMOM New Day Centers for an affordable housing development. The Alhambra plans are to sell the land for use as affordable rentals that target families by having an overrepresentation of three- and four-bedroom units. Though the project is still in the very early stages, it could include between 60 and 240 units, depending on whether the land can be rezoned for higher-density development. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghubmqyz

Toronto's housing landscape is evolving, with surplus school lands entering the conversation as potential solutions to the housing crisis. Budget Chief Shelley Carroll highlights challenges posed by the "fair market value" rule, prompting Mayor Olivia Chow's committee to advocate for changes to make these lands more viable for housing projects. Given Toronto's housing crisis, using public land for housing seems like a logical step. Remember that project at Davisville Junior Public School? They turned it into a community center. It's a good example of what's possible. And as Toronto navigates these discussions, it's evident that innovative solutions are needed to address housing challenges effectively. #TorontoHousing #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #Innovation https://lnkd.in/gmZdMw5H

“Planning is a complex and politically charged activity, and will only become more fraught as we face up to climate change. Yet amongst all this complexity, one moral is clear: the more planning focuses on the car, the worse the results for children”. A concise and spot-on summary from Tim - how a “child-lens” on policy could transform our streets and places (and childhood itself).

Designing places from the perspective and needs of children is vital in our cities. Read Tim Gill”s article to understand what are the elements to creating great places. #880cities #RightToPublicSpace #CreatingCitiesForAll

Critical real estate assets held by faith-based organizations could soon transform New York City's housing landscape. Mayor Eric Adams' innovative plan to help these organizations build affordable housing opens up new possibilities for incorporating social good into the city’s urban fabric. By updating zoning laws, the plan facilitates the conversion of existing properties, like old convents and school buildings, into much-needed housing. It offers a potential resolution to the mounting housing crisis while simultaneously providing a sustainable revenue source for faith-based organizations. Discover more about this initiative and consider what such cross-sector collaborations could mean for the future of city development. Read more --> https://lnkd.in/gHJJJ3yx #UrbanDevelopment #AffordableHousing #SocialGood #FaithFacts