Osborne Association’s Post

Hi Morgan No we are not Proud of Mayor Lucas. Repealing NEW ORDINANCE TO CODE BOOKS ORDINANCE NO. 230401 Amending Chapter 3, Code of Ordinances, by repealing Section 3-431, “Setting Goals for Individual Contracts” and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter regulating the application of numeric MBE/WBE goals on certain projects leased for development or receiving economic development incentives or tax abatement. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY: 2. Ignoring the letter from The Kcmo Fairness Board Chairman & Fairness Committee regarding Civil Rights violations ? Harrasment of minority contractors ? inadequate reporting from Kcmo CREO department ? No Disparity report for 9 years and more ? 2016 Disparity Report below: Department of I think 1.2 minority [participation] and 2.5 WBE [participation], when there was adequate availability of minority and women contractors to meet the City’s standard kind of goal of 15 [percent] and 7 [percent]. They’re diluting the opportunity for minority and women contractors when it comes through the statutory business development organizations, all of whom have different sets of rules..… There ought to be a uniform code that is incorporated in all the development agreements which people in our community never see.… There’s a disconnect. And I realize they’re trying to change some of that now but the insulting part of it was there was more money spent through statutory agencies last year for contracting activities than there were through City departments.… It’s obviously developer driven. By the time we see it the development agreement has already been executed. Caused lack of capital for Jackson County schools and libraries. Mayor Lucas and Insult to African Americans everywhere?

Restorative justice is an important pathway to healing. Please check out my blog below to learn more.

Just concluded our final committee meeting for the year at the City of Colorado Springs Community Development Advisory Committee! Gathered valuable insights from esteemed members, discussing information sources, annual action plan priorities, and public communications. Colorado Springs residents/citizens, please save the date for the following: • Dec. 18, 2023 – Jan. 17, 2024: Draft 2024 Action Plan 30 Day Public Comment Period • Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024: Public Hearing on the Draft Annual Action Plan The Annual Action Plan (AAP) guides the use of grant funds that the Housing and Community Vitality Department receives for the coming program year. The plan is the result of consulting with various stakeholders, including agencies responsible for carrying out eligible projects and activities, local government representatives, interested community members, and advocacy groups for disadvantaged populations such as the disabled, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and low-income seniors. The AAP lays out specific strategies that the City and its partners will employ to meet the community's priority needs. More info in the comments section ⬇️ #coloradospringscolorado

Our HSA action teams consist of shared data and measurement, community engagement, eviction prevention, and policy and advocacy. With collaboration from each of our teams, we are working together to dissolve #homelessness. Interested in learning more about the Housing Stability Alliance and the work that we are doing with our action teams? Check out our website for more information on how best to get involved with solving the #housingcrisis with us. #HousingGap #EquitableHousing

Yesterday I had the opportunity to view the Connecticut Public Documentary Screening of the film, Fighting For Home: How Housing Policy Keeps Connecticut Segregated. I want to thank Story Producer/Moderator Sabrina Buckwalter for the attention and effort put into capturing the stories of those in the film, and for highlighting the many variables contributing to the current housing and homelessness crises. Panelists representing Inspirica Inc., Eviction Lab, Partnership for Strong Communities, and State Sen. Ryan Fazio spoke about a range of topics following the film including Hollywood stereotypes vs the reality of homelessness, zoning regulations, effects of racial misconceptions, and community engagement. Here are some of my key takeaways: 1. There are roughly 3.7 million eviction cases filed every year across the nation. One in four Black children are at risk for eviction, and the % of evictions filed against black households make up more than half of all evictions filed. 2. "Homelessness is not the stereotypical LA neighborhood with homeless people pushing carts down the street. Your coworker could be homeless." A statement made by Nelcia Medley-Avila of Inspirica Inc. 3. Community engagement is critical, especially for Black and Brown families and individuals. An example is to attend open city council meetings. Be in the rooms where decisions are made about where we live. 4. Zoning is an important issue I thought was swept aside by the State Senator in this discussion, maybe partly because it has done its intended job of enforcing racial and income segregation. There is also the possibility that some individuals are unaware of how policy segregates communities, to which I suggest the book, The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. Although the film was hard to swallow at times, it brings awareness to a serious housing issue in Connecticut and I encourage anyone who either has struggled with homelessness, knows someone who has, or wants to learn more in your advocacy for affordable housing for all to register for the second screening in Harford. #affordablehousing #housingstability #advocacy

REACH Community Development - consider this . . . . Veteran Housing Corp applauds all efforts to build affordable housing but would challenge each and every local, state, and federal housing agency or affordable housing developer to do better in 2024 and beyond. Veteran Housing Corp demands permanent affordability for all projects receiving government funding, subsidies, tax credits, or other incentives! Veteran Housing Corp demands transparency and every local, state, and federal government agency and other stakeholders MUST provide answers to questions about the housing projects that are built with government funding, subsidies, tax credits, or incentives, including the following: 1. How much funding, federal tax credits, or government benefits or incentives from all government sources did the projects receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? 3. What guarantees exist that tenants will not be displaced 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

Many neighborhoods today are facing a “relationship crisis”—where social bonds are weakening, and people are becoming more isolated. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We have the power to reverse these trends. By prioritizing relationships and investing in family and community life, we can build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. So, what can we do? How can each of us play a part in strengthening our neighborhoods? Leveraging my book, Fragile Neighborhoods, Lauren Hall writes this helpful essay on what practical steps we can take: 1) Invest in your relationships. 2) Get involved locally. 3) Support community spaces and programs. 4) Be a connector. 5) Promote economic stability. 6) Encourage mentorship and support. As she writes, "strong communities don’t just happen—they’re built, one relationship at a time. It starts with us, in our own homes and neighborhoods. By investing in the people around us, we can create a ripple effect that strengthens our entire community." Thank you to Lauren as well as Keri Randolph who introduced my work to her. Both from #chattanooga #tennessee. #community #relationships #family #socialprescribing #loneliness Placemaking Education Cormac Russell Danya Pastuszek Sarah Strimmenos Dawn Martz Dan Baisden Tim Soerens Tim Tompkins Shawn Duncan Jennifer Prophete Adam Barlow-Thompson Sam Pressler Ron Ivey David Burton Frances Kraft John B. Daron Babcock De'Amon Harges Ethan Kent PlacemakingX Katie Cahill, PhD Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams Tate Wilson Clarence Carter Debi Ghate Jay Hein Bob Woodson See - https://lnkd.in/eRvirjPr

Did you see that Soteria Community Development Corporation is hosting a Reentry Simulation this Thursday evening as part of Second Chance Month? This allows participants to find out firsthand the realities and challenges of reentry. Going to prison is a major life-altering event that creates obstacles to building stable lives in the community, such as gaining living wage employment and finding stable safe housing after release. South Carolina is one of 12 states where more than half the prison population is Black, and Greenville County has both the highest incarceration rate and reentry rate in the state. Recent findings from Brookings noted more than half of the formerly incarcerated are unable to find stable employment within their first year of return. Research has demonstrated that health, housing, skill development, mentorship, social networks, and the collaborative efforts of public and private organizations collectively improve the reentry experience. By experiencing these complex obstacles and barriers in the simulation, participants gain visibility into the individuals’ perspectives and discover innovative ways to help these individuals succeed. You can learn more and register to attend at https://ow.ly/6vjp50Rgw8E. #accessandadvanceatwork #greenvillesc #advanceandthrive #secondchancemonth

By prioritizing relationships and investing in family and community life, we can build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.... So, what can we do? 👇 Check out these great tips from Seth Kaplan (synthesized by Lauren Hall): #community #designforconnection #neighborhood

“If we want to build safe, healthy communities and a fair, humane justice system, we need to fight for housing justice.” – Executive Director Courtney Bryan Housing is more than a right. It’s a prerequisite for well-being, healthy child development, getting and keeping a job, succeeding in school and limiting contact with the legal system, writes Executive Director Courtney Bryan on The Arc this week. ✍️ With rents rising and vacancy rates dropping, more and more people are facing housing instability. This is particularly true of the most vulnerable among us, including those who are justice-involved. Over a third of participants in our Supervised Release and Alternatives to Incarceration programs reported that they were homeless, living in a shelter or transitional residence, or needed support with housing services. By addressing issues early, providing essential resources, and empowering community members, we are strengthening public safety, increasing economic mobility, and helping people avoid—or minimize—involvement in the criminal legal system. Building safety and reducing the use of jails can only happen with housing justice. We can only live up to our ideals of equity and freedom when we prioritize people’s fundamental needs, including their right to a safe, secure, and affordable home. ➡️ Read the full piece here today: https://lnkd.in/edDNk6yS