Connect 313’s Post

Veteran Housing Corp says that IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

Imagine winning $20.5 million to transform your community with grant funding! A stellar example of a successful story regarding funding is Louisville, Kentucky. The city received $20.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The funding is directed towards two major projects: a $15.5 million implementation grant to fund the design finalization and construction of the Reimagine 9th Street Project and a $5 million planning grant to fund design work for Broadway Street. Both projects will enhance connectivity and economic development, improving efficiency and safety. The projects also include enhancing sustainability in the proposed target areas by encouraging and offering different modes of transportation. Here are links to Louisville’s winning applications: • Broadway All The Way: https://hubs.li/Q02k2Vff0 • Reimagine 9th Street : https://hubs.li/Q02k2Srl0 As of last year, multiple cities and agencies nationwide are transforming their communities with grant funding. Turn your grant dreams into a reality - we are here to help! #RoadSafety #GrantFunding #SustainableCities #FutureMobility

Two potentially game-changing Downtown Detroit Partnership projects are receiving significant funding thanks to federal grants and private money.    On Thursday, we announced the DDP received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the I-75 Overbuild Planning Project.    The monies allow the DDP and partners to expand community engagement and feasibility studies to analyze building a deck or lid over I-75 to reconnect north, Greater Downtown, and Brush Park neighborhoods with Downtown. The first phase of our work was made possible through a planning grant from The Kresge Foundation who is committed to a more connected Detroit. Olympia Development of Michigan, and Related Companies also agreed to a $400,000 match as part of tax incentives and a community benefits agreement.   By working with the City of Detroit, and the Michigan Department of Transportation, this is precisely the type of collaborative and forward-thinking activity we need to see what’s possible for Downtown Detroit.    Combined with DDP's work on the I-375 Rebuilding Communities, we have the potential to repair and reconnect in ways that prioritizes community, connection, inclusivity, equity, and economic development and revitalization.   Please read this article from Crain's Detroit Business. I look forward to sharing more on these projects in the coming weeks and months and grateful for these opportunities that tap into the DDP’s strengths.    For additional information or to provide feedback to DDP, send an email to TheRoadAhead@downtowndetroit.org.   #DowtownDetroit, #Detroit, #WMIH, #UrbanInnovation, #Leadership https://lnkd.in/gUgbzx8G

The Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program is helping to jumpstart infrastructure projects across the state in jurisdictions with fewer than 15,000 people. Learn how in this great article from MinnPost: https://lnkd.in/gE-hzy2d

👀Are you looking for funding to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces in your #ruralKS community? You should check out the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program, a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow. Apply by September 30 for funding to support a community project of your choice, like revitalizing or repurposing a historic structure, creating a downtown asset or destination, or improving a space where friends and neighbors gather. Projects that add to a sense of place or could lead to further investment are of particular interest. 👉 https://bit.ly/4e7yTwm

Investments in parks, arts, and libraries are important to our quality of life, but with a serious budget deficit it’s only prudent our city council evaluate everything, and try to make the best possible decisions for everyone. ☑️ We must prioritize. The Community Survey results clearly show crime, streets, economic development as top of your priorities. The council has also agreed to focus on homelessness, which was not a part of the survey. ☑️ We must take care of what we’ve got. Unfortunately, we have lots of deferred maintenance that should be addressed prior to adding anything new. I believe in quality over quantity. How can we be better stewards of our assets and taxpayer dollars? Can we achieve better quality? Is there waste that could be eliminated? KWCH: City of Wichita addresses concerns of possible park closures  ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gJPKH2eB Share your thoughts by joining us at tomorrow’s city council meeting, Tuesday, 9am, at City Hall. You can also email the council ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ej_ewMkq

Civic infrastructure can contribute many positive outcomes, but the narrative about civic infrastructure investments rarely elevates these multifaceted outcomes. Reimagining the Civic Commons has developed a powerful way to demonstrate—with data—the many ways that investments in civic infrastructure matter for people and communities. Learn How to Show (and Grow) the Impact of Your Civic Spaces 📰 and access their tools to Measure What Matters. ⚒️

The Pilsen Industrial TIF will expire in 2034. Your voice is critical. The TIF is not just about today; it's about building a better future for the neighborhood and preserving the character of our community. Pilsen, individuals, families, small businesses, and institutions need resources for affordable housing, homeowners to fix their homes, and our community schools, parks, and libraries to get upgrades and ADA accessibility. The TIF will exist until 2034, and this amendment could be a game-changer in preserving Pilsen. We urge our neighbors to join the process of shaping the proposal. Together, we can ensure the funds directly benefit the neighborhood and its residents, paving the way for a brighter future. Sign the Pilsen TIF petition: https://bit.ly/3M405A5 TRP CEO Raul I. Raymundo (long-time resident of Pilsen) spoke with Block Club Chicago Reporter Rafael Perez. "We need to work with the alderman and hold him accountable, just as he holds the community accountable, to ensure this is done correctly. If we can show that the TIF benefits our community, it can serve as a model. Other areas with TIFs can then see that these funds can be used for preservation, affordable housing developments, and community preservation rather than displacement." Read the article here: https://bit.ly/4dibLeA

Here is the Newsday TV coverage of the Town of Hempstead's decision to scale back the Inwood and Lawrence TOD zoning. Vision's Director was quoted but only a portion of what he said was included so in essence the message is: We see the pushback to multifamily and TOD zoning due to heavy pressure from NYC and NYS interests to overrule local zoning. This pushback is not only in the Town of Hempstead but in a number of places since mandates were proposed over the last 4 years. Essentially a top down regional strategy employed over these last 4 years to push housing is not successful and we need to get back to Planning Locally which produced over 17,000 units of mostly rental housing approved in nearly 50 communities across Long Island. Before the NYS and regional mandates were proposed 4 out of 5 (80%) project hearings for TOD's had more community supporters than opponents . During and after the mandates that number is now 50%. What is needed is investment in very hyper local planning, community outreach, and real trust building. NYS can stay out of zoning but assist in other ways by getting us our fair share of infrastructure dollars, planning and subsidies for affordable housing. The good news is that even with the repeal the Town of Hempstead still has an opportunity to allow for growth project by project in Inwood and Lawrence. https://lnkd.in/eSHZUe7r

Reflecting on our journey at the Local Infrastructure Hub, it's incredible to see the smaller communities we work with draw down funds and bring investment home to residents for safer streets, greater access to EV charging stations, and more.   The City of Clarkston, GA is one such example. The city recently secured a $1 million Safe Streets and Roads for All grant after working for months with our Local Infrastructure Hub team. This success, in a city of just 14,500 with lower median incomes, will translate to lowering the annual traffic-fatality rate, which is roughly double the national average.   We're on a mission to build the confidence of America's small towns and mid-size cities, encouraging them to seek and secure vital funds. When we started the Hub, researchers encountered doubt, with many believing this investment wasn’t meant for communities like theirs. Today, we're creating proof points, showing what's possible when cities of all sizes come home with these crucial funds.   Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Kresge Foundation, Emerson Collective, Ford Foundation, National League of Cities, United States Conference of Mayors, Results for America, Ballmer Group, Delivery Associates   More from Kea Wilson at Streetsblog USA ⤵ https://lnkd.in/ebiWM__N