Movement Strategy Center’s Post

Innovative housing policies are changing the landscape of tenant rights and affordable housing preservation. In our recent webinar, co-sponsored with Nonprofit Quarterly we dive deep into Tenant and Community Opportunity to Purchase Acts (TOPA/COPA). Hear from experts like Tram Hoang from PolicyLink José García from Mission Economic Development Agency, and Elin Zurbrigg from Mi CASA as they discuss: - How these policies work in practice - The challenges of implementation - Strategies for financing tenant purchases - The impact on displacement and community control Whether you're a housing professional, policymaker, or advocate, this discussion offers valuable insights into an emerging tool for housing justice. Watch the full video and read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/3WjtBbd #AffordableHousing #TenantRights #HousingPolicy #CommunityDevelopment

There are some good lessons in here on how layering different models of shared equity ownership provides huge returns on a community's stability and opportunity. "A partnership with a CLT provides an extra layer to protect the long-term affordability of an LEC, while also providing ongoing support and technical assistance to the co-op. And by creating an umbrella entity under which multiple LECs exist, there are opportunities to take advantage of economies of scale that may not be possible with individual co-ops."

Interested in community-driven housing models? Check out this insightful article discussing the three major types of community- or resident-controlled housing and how they operate. From limited-equity cooperatives to community land trusts and mutual housing associations, each model offers unique benefits and challenges. Whether you're a policymaker, housing advocate, or community member, understanding these models is crucial for fostering inclusive and sustainable neighborhoods. Dive into the article for a brief overview of these innovative approaches shaping the future of housing:   #CommunityHousingNetwork #ResidentControl #AffordableHousing #HousingModels

We know homeownership creates stability, and stability creates more opportunities, builds stronger communities, and helps families thrive. Learn more about the impact of homeownership here: https://ow.ly/YXSl50QMUmK #homeownership #affordablehousing #community

Why Community Participation is Critical in Redevelopment - "And what you could miss out on if you don't!" In any community, the decisions about redevelopment—whether it’s infrastructure improvements, housing, or business support—directly impact the people who live and work there. Yet, without active participation, these plans may not fully reflect the community's needs or culture. Here’s why it’s important to engage: Missed Opportunities: By not participating, communities might miss out on valuable programs that could improve housing, businesses, and public safety.  Loss of Identity: Without local input, redevelopment plans risk diluting the unique character and history of the neighborhood.  Lack of Buy-In: Projects without community support often face challenges during implementation, leading to friction and slower progress. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) relies on local input to make impactful changes, but if the community remains disengaged, it’s harder to address longstanding issues. Whether it’s attending local meetings, volunteering, or simply staying informed, your involvement makes a difference. Together, we can build a future that benefits everyone. Get involved and help shape a brighter, safer, and more prosperous community. Isn’t that what you want? #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #CivicEngagement #Redevelopment #Leadership #Dunbar #CommuniTEA

I signed a petition telling the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) that "It’s Time that San Francisco Puts Affordability & Equity First!" So many people could benefit from SF prioritizing equity-based policies for affordable housing, tenant protections, and community planning, and not developer giveaways. HCD can make sure the equity-based actions in San Francisco's Housing Element are prioritized, and are no longer ignored. Join me in calling on HCD, the SF Board of Supervisors, and SF Mayor London Breed to put affordability and equity first! Let's prioritize real solutions for our most pressing housing needs! Do you have less than 30 seconds to spare? Please sign the petition here: https://lnkd.in/gmKspw3Q

There's a lot of momentum toward resident-controlled housing. Do you know the three major forms it takes? From cooperatives to mutual housing associations, discover empowering models for communities. Download and share this easy-to-read infographic: https://lnkd.in/eq8YmNYB #CommunityHousing #TenantRights #ShelterforceExplains

🏠 Preserving Communities Together: Builders of Hope Community Development Corporation's Vital Work in Dallas.🏠  Builders of Hope is leading the way in combating housing instability with their anti-displacement toolkit, part of their "right to stay" initiative, which focuses on protecting vulnerable residents in rapidly developing neighborhoods like West Dallas, South Dallas, and Vickery Meadow. At Texas Housing Conservancy, we proudly shine a light on the incredible work of organizations across Texas that share our goal of housing preservation. Builders of Hope’s innovative strategies—emergency rental assistance, shared equity housing models, and community strengthening—align perfectly with our own efforts to keep residents stable and communities strong. We’re all working together to create housing security for Texans, and we look forward to seeing how their toolkit shapes Dallas’s future. Let’s keep the momentum going! #AffordableHousing #Preservation #CommunityDevelopment #HousingSecurity #BuildersOfHope #TexasHousingConservancy #WorkingTogether

On this Labor Day, more often than not, we are continuing to grapple with shoestring resources that typically accrue for community organizing and capacity building efforts within public agency led processes. All in service of improving and strengthening our cities and regions: better access to food, homes, transit, parks, schools and jobs, stronger adaptation and resilience preparation to the ill effects of climate change and other emergent community needs. It doesn’t have to be this way. As novel examples illustrate well across several community constellations in California alone—Allensworth Progressive Association in Allensworth, 40 x 40 Council in Oakland, Santa Ana Shared Financing Collective in Santa Ana and others—communities are flipping the script and orchestrating the future of their own neighborhoods. When we as communities assert power and articulate our collective visions we can attract resources in abundance. This is no mirage! This is a snapshot of an alternate reality that can be true for more communities and must be a reason to not mourn but celebrate today—the promise held within community’s collective labor. #CommunityVision #CommunityPower #AbundantResources #LaborDay

🎉 If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution 🎉 Well, obvious personal jokes aside, these are still the famous words of a revolutionary. Whilst calls for a housing revolution might be going too far, it has been broken for decades and is only getting worse. A significant number homeless, far too many in overcrowded and unaffordable properties, and countless with no prospect of ever owning their own home. Community-led housing is composed of people, many that are volunteers, who care deeply about providing local affordable housing and making a difference in their village, town and city. It is not easy, successes can be small against the scale of the problem but long lasting, and there is a real danger that people get burned out and/ or disillusioned with setbacks. However, I see community-led housing as much about the means as about the ends. It's about coming together to be part of something bigger, making friends, learning new skills, testing yourself, being part of success stories that will transform lives, and inspiring others (especially the younger generation) to take a positive role in society whether in housing or other issues. The status quo isn't good enough anymore and if we're waiting on others to help improve our communities then we're going to be disappointed with the outcome. But what I wanted to emphasise with that quote is that whether you're new to community activism (because that's what community-led housing represents) or an old hand, if you don't have fun with it you probably won't get the most out of it and you're unlikely to last. I've been very fortunate over the years and on both sides of the Atlantic to have learnt from people far wiser than me, but I often have to be reminded to prevent it seeming like a second job squashed into evenings and weekends. But other times I'm reminded of why I do this - when I'm invited to dinners at the homes of fellow Oxfordshire Community Land Trust directors, sharing book recommendations, having a laugh over a beer with old housebuilding industry colleagues joining the cause, being made fun of by kids 20 years younger than me who are learning about #communitylandtrusts and then obviously seeing the faces of our new tenants who have a safe, secure and affordable new home because our community got together to make a difference. So what are you waiting for? However and wherever you want to get involved let us know. There's a role for everyone big or small, and we'll never turn down donations from those currently short of free time 😉. Let's dance!!