Neighborhood Allies’ Post

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 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."

I did my Master's Thesis regarding faith-based initiatives and ability to respond to needs within the city of Somerville in response to Welfare Reform since this was the time of looking at charitable choice. At the time, so much of my anecdotal findings was that individual churches did not have the capacity to help as much as many assumed. However, I love how this shows the power of churches to respond to lack of affordable housing through partnerships between different congregations. However, it also demonstrates that churches cannot do it alone. There has to be government funding, different sources of monies, and also lenders willing to take a chance. One thing I am disappointed in is that leaders within the Catholic Archdiocese did not participate. Obviously, I know that properties needed sold at the highest price- unfortunately because of the evil scandalous behaviors of priests and bishops, and because canon law is complicated regarding secular uses of properties and tax ramifications. Yet, be at least part of the conversation. Be a player beyond the offices of Catholic Charities and cooperate with people of good will seeking the common good .

Work to redevelop 56 acres of land currently owned by the City and Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) in the Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood areas took a major step forward Thursday.  At its regular monthly board meeting, the TDA passed a resolution to create an advisory committee supporting community recommendations that will assist the City in the formation of a Community Development Corporation for the development of the Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood areas. The move comes after more than 40 community meetings and events were held in 2022, where more than 1,000 residents helped finalize the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan. The Master Plan, which has been approved by the Tulsa City Council, includes community recommendations for a governance structure that ensures the social and economic benefits of redevelopment are experienced by Black Tulsans, and outlines strategies for the equitable and inclusive mixed-use redevelopment of the area. Opportunity Accelerator In February last year, the City’s economic development arm PartnerTulsa received a technical assistance grant through the Opportunity Accelerator. In collaboration with the W. Haywood Burns Institute and other national partners, Tulsa’s work with the Opportunity Accelerator focused on developing a community-led process to determine a governance structure for community benefits and eventual ownership of publicly owned sites throughout last year. Through a series of workshops, public meetings and community interviews, and field trips, it was recommended TDA establish an advisory committee to support the establishment of a Community Development Corporation. Master Plan Implementation  Initial site development costs for Greenwood Plaza are projected to be between $14 – $22 million. Knowing that implementation of the Master Plan would require significant amounts of resources and ample time to develop, $2 million of the City’s FY23 budget went toward implementation of the Master Plan, with an additional $5 million in voter-approved funding through the newest installment of Improve Our Tulsa. The City and PartnerTulsa are currently identifying and applying for additional grants to support the full cost of construction of this project.  What’s Next  PartnerTulsa and City staff will work with the Community Working Group to finalize an application and scoring rubric for selection of Advisory Committee members. Working Group members have studied applications from existing community-based organizations nationally and anticipate leveraging the experience of these organizations to inform the drafting of the application and scoring criteria. The Working Group will review applicants and score them using an established rubric. The Working Group will then recommend a slate of 7-9 members to be appointed to an Advisory Committee, to be established by Resolution of the TDA Board of Commissioners. For more information on the project, visit www.partnertulsa.org/khgmp.

What do punk rock, city and transit planning, and affordable housing have in common? Find out in our Journal of Housing and Community Development interview with Kamala Parks and Jason Wittenberg! https://lnkd.in/d_yeYJER

Main Street Matters is open for applications! 🚨 Overview The Main Street Matters (MSM) program is designed to support our downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and the increase of safety and security. Communities may wish to consider designation through the MSM program as a Main Street or Elm Street. Designation is an opportunity for targeted investment and development including the identification of specific needs for investment and/or development and the design and implementation of a strategy to address those needs. Uses A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Eligibility Units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns, and home rule municipalities) Redevelopment and/or housing authorities Nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc. Community development corporations Business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities To access the guidelines: https://lnkd.in/gVeKtKkY

Main Street Matters is open for applications! 🚨 Overview The Main Street Matters (MSM) program is designed to support our downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and the increase of safety and security. Communities may wish to consider designation through the MSM program as a Main Street or Elm Street. Designation is an opportunity for targeted investment and development including the identification of specific needs for investment and/or development and the design and implementation of a strategy to address those needs. Uses A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Eligibility Units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns, and home rule municipalities) Redevelopment and/or housing authorities Nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc. Community development corporations Business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities To access the guidelines:

Next up supporting ForwardDallas, Dallas Housing Coalition Steering Committee member, the Hon. Diane Ragsdale of South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corporation (ICDC) stated, "Although the Community Residential placetype is largely single-family, we don’t want that to exclude the possibility that in some places in the future, other types of housing may make sense in order to provide more housing options for more people. We don’t want a plan that is exclusionary. We don’t want a plan that is classist or racist, nor do we want a plan that allows the construction of grossly incompatible housing … which has led to displacement.” Check out this article for more: https://bit.ly/3Yihht1

In Denver's Westwood neighborhood, an inspiring example of solidarity economics unfolds. After two years of dedicated effort, an 80-family mobile home community is set to become Denver's first resident-owned manufactured housing park. This shift is a powerful demonstration of regenerative living and a Just Transition. Amid challenges from predatory corporate landlords, this resident-owned model ensures that homes remain secure and sustainable for generations to come. By taking control of their own park through a cooperative model, these residents are setting a powerful example of what community-centered policies can achieve. Montevista Comunidad's success shows how community-centered policies can transform lives and protect local spaces. It's a testament to the resilience and determination of people coming together to safeguard their homes and futures. Let's celebrate and support more initiatives that embrace solidarity economics and prioritize community well-being! Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-ux3FAQ. #SolidarityEconomy #CommunityOwnership

https://lnkd.in/gdDstGTK SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) today published California’s Housing Future 2040: The Next Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). In this report, HCD recommends to legislators the changes to the RHNA process necessary to effectively plan for the homes that will be needed across the state by 2040.