Donzell Robinson, MBA’s Post

Cupertino swiftly adopts State-approved Housing Element!   Just a month after receiving the approval letter from HCD, the City of Cupertino adopted its 2023- 2031 Housing Element at last night’s council meeting. As background, the Housing Element is required by State law to be updated every eight years to determine the City’s housing needs, identify constraints to housing development, identify policies to encourage the development of housing, and demonstrate that the City has housing sites available to accommodate its allocation of new housing across a range of income levels during the eight years, 2023-2031. Cupertino’s housing allocation, determined and assigned by the State’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), is 4,588 housing units.   Since receiving HCD's letter, the City has held meetings with the Housing and Planning Commissions and the City Council to certify the Housing Element. The next step is the rezoning process, which is expected to be completed in July. At that point, the final draft of the Housing Element will be submitted to HCD for certification.

With this initiative, Faith based groups, the Church and Christians- have the power to unlock social good, provide Sanctuaries and redemptive collective spaces, connecting communities and affordable housing. “There is a clear, mutually advantageous opportunity for the City to collaborate more closely with faith-based groups, specifically to explore innovative solutions for the redevelopment and optimal use of their land resources for greater social impacts, such as enhanced community services, providing affordable housing, and meeting other social impact objectives; 10. The City of Vancouver has various existing policy pathways that could assist faith-based groups in moving their redevelopment projects forward. For example, (i) the Social Housing or Rental Tenure (SHORT) Program, which aims for faster production of affordable housing by reducing development approval times for high-impact multi-family housing projects, (ii) the Interim Rezoning Policy for Social Housing, Seniors Housing, and Institutional, Cultural and Recreational Uses, and (iii) additional height and density for mass timber construction in rezoning applications.” THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED A. THAT Council recognizes the housing, social impact, and community benefits potential of properties owned by faith-based religious groups by formally inviting faith-based groups, BC Housing, the Provincial and Federal governments, and other stakeholders to a City hosted dialogue to advance and expedite the collaborative redevelopment of these unique properties. B. THAT Council directs staff to report back regarding resources and staff support available to faith-based groups and organizations considering redevelopment projects in Vancouver, as well as potential policy and/or regulatory changes that would support the deployment of these properties to deliver affordable housing.

The Massachusetts House approved a $6.5 billion plan to address the state's affordable housing crisis. The bill includes initiatives to build more affordable housing and support economic development, aiming to mitigate decades of sluggish housing production. The following organizations have worked tirelessly to advocate for and address housing affordability in Boston: Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC)- Offers programs to help local small businesses open, sustain, and grow, including access to microloans and business coaching. DBEDC provides job training and placement services, supporting career development and helping residents, including returning citizens, integrate into the workforce. Through events like the Annual Arts in the Park and the Community Block Party, as well as initiatives like Rock and Roll Seniors and the Tech Goes Home course, DBEDC fosters community involvement and supports resident-led initiatives. Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (CSNDC)- Develops and manages affordable housing units to ensure stable living conditions for low and moderate-income families. They offer programs to support local businesses, job training, and placement services. CSNDC also provides health and wellness programs, financial education, and youth services to support community members' overall well-being. Fenway Community Development Corporation (FCDC)- Develops and preserves affordable housing units to meet the needs of low and moderate-income residents. Offers services such as job training, financial literacy programs, and tenant support. Organizes events and programs to foster a strong community network and address local needs. Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC)- Develops housing projects tailored to the needs of the Asian American community. Provides programs like financial education, youth leadership training, and language support. Engages the community through cultural events and advocacy initiatives. Allston Brighton CDC- Creates and maintains affordable housing units for diverse income levels. Provides resources like job training, financial education, and health services. Organizes community events and advocacy efforts to support local residents. Be sure to support the highlighted orgs by learning more about their work at the LINK IN COMMENTS. Interested in joining a community of folks working towards equity in Boston? Apply to GenUnity’s Health Equity and Housing Justice Fellowships while spots last via LINK IN COMMENTS.

HUD announces $72.6M in new Native American community grants https://ift.tt/M05cKft The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Monday announced the disbursement of $72.6 million in new funding under the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program, adding up to $2 million to 38 individual community recipients to bolster housing development, expansion and preservation. The grant funds will be primarily deployed to bolster infrastructure, construction or renovation of community buildings, housing rehabilitation, land acquisition and economic development for the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. “We continue to make strong community development investments in Indian country,” HUD acting secretary Adrianne Todman said in a statement. “This funding allows Tribal Nations to meet the needs of their communities and make critical infrastructure improvements.” Native American tribes provided key information to better target the funding and communications about the program, the department explained. “HUD extends its gratitude to Tribes for providing vital feedback on the ICDBG program through Tribal consultation, which informed the development of this grant competition, from the design of the Notice of Funding Opportunity through our work to quickly complete the application review and award process,” HUD stated. The attention that Native American communities are paying to their own needs was lauded by Richard Monocchio, principal deputy assistant secretary for public and Indian housing at HUD. “Native American Tribes are leading the charge to upgrade infrastructure in their communities,” he said. “As housing and community development needs arise in Indian Country, we continue to support Tribal Communities projects to develop more innovative solutions to these challenges.” The states of California, Oklahoma and Alaska are the largest recipients of the new funding. In California, a total of 10 communities will collectively receive $18 million in grants. Seven Native communities in Oklahoma will receive just under $13.4 million, while an additional seven communities in Alaska will collectively receive nearly $12.3 million. Earlier this year, HUD initiated additional support for Native American communities through its housing counseling programs. It established a new category of HUD-certified tribal housing counselor along with a new tribal housing counselor certification exam. The exam is designed to include adjustments for “distinctions in fair housing laws pertaining to Tribes and the unique status of trust land,” the department explained in June. via HousingWire https://ift.tt/If6Ue7d December 09, 2024 at 10:20AM

Housing affordability is a major concern for Tampa’s current and prospective residents. The city is taking significant steps to address this issue by investing historic funding, totaling over $82 million, in long-term housing development and preservation, with the support of the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency. What You Need To Know The city of Tampa is taking significant steps to address housing affordability by investing historic funding, totaling over $82 million, in long-term housing development and preservation, with the support of the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency Nearly 40% of Tampa residents spend more than 30% of their monthly gross income on housing expenses, causing housing cost burdens for them, according to the city of Tampa The Tampa City Council has established five housing goals to achieve this, which include expanding temporary housing options, prioritizing seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring safe housing for low-income residents, leveraging city resources to fill funding gaps and stabilizing neighborhoods that are at risk of displacement #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #MyFRA #FLRedevelopment #Tampa #tampacra 

The City of Tulsa is applying for the FY24 HUD PRO Housing Grant to increase affordable housing in our community. The public is invited to a public hearing on September 25 at 5 p.m. in Tulsa City Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of Tulsa City Hall, 175 E. 2nd St., to share feedback on the draft application, which is now live. This competitive grant aims to help cities remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation, expanding the supply of affordable housing and reducing housing costs in the long term. Public comments can also be emailed to [email protected] until Sunday, October 6. When emailing comments, please include your name and organization. Visit https://lnkd.in/gxs5jMJX for more details and to review the application. ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The City of Tulsa is committed to ensuring accessibility for all individuals. The public hearing on Sept. 25 at Tulsa City Hall is held in a room that is ADA-compliant. Persons who require a special accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact Secretary to the Tulsa City Council Lori Doring, 175 E. 2nd St., Fourth Floor, Tulsa, Oklahoma, via phone at (918) 596‐1990 or via email at [email protected]. These requests should be made as far in advance as possible and preferably at least 48‐hours before the date of the meeting. Persons using a TDD may contact OKLAHOMA RELAY at 1‐800‐722‐0353 and voice calls should be made to 1‐800‐522‐8506 to communicate via telephone with hearing telephone users and vice versa. Materials will also be made available in accessible formats on the City’s website. About the PRO Housing Grant The PRO Housing program empowers communities to address the nation’s affordable housing shortage by removing barriers such as restrictive zoning, lengthy permitting processes, and inadequate infrastructure. The City of Tulsa’s application will focus on improving zoning codes, expediting the development process, and acquiring vacant properties for affordable housing development. ABOUT PATH TO HOME The Path to Home Initiative is a central source for all programming as it relates to homelessness, housing, and mental health within the City of Tulsa. The initiative gives a comprehensive overview of all programming and policy work at the local government level focused on helping individuals experiencing homelessness or struggling with mental health, promoting citywide housing efforts, and supporting the work of dedicated service providers. To learn more about the Path to Home Initiative, visit: https://lnkd.in/g3pHPgX7

An advocacy group in #Bozeman is calling on young people and low-income renters to take on the city's notorious housing crunch. More than half of the people who live in Bozeman are renters. The latest Community Housing Needs Assessment showed Bozeman needs up to 6,300 housing units in the next 5 years just to keep up with job growth. Jacqueline Aaron, voter engagement and housing organizer for the advocacy group Forward Montana, said people who can least afford it are paying more than 50% of their income on rent and even then, not living where they want to. "The units are being built out on the edges of town, sprawling into our agricultural land, getting pushed outside of the community," Aaron pointed out. "I think a lot of people who really thrive in our urban center and want to be participating in the parts of community life that they value here." Aaron argued Bozeman's development codes should reflect the desire for people to be able to live closer to town and said it was a common theme at a recent hearing. Officials will hold a work session Sept. 17 to discuss ways to address the housing shortage within the bounds of Bozeman's existing and future ordinances. Forward Montana said 60% of the housing units in Bozeman should be priced below market value to meet the full range of community housing needs. Aaron emphasized Bozeman's more established residents have had a large hand in shaping the town's housing ordinances, and she is encouraging young people to make their voices heard as the Bozeman City Commission considers what is next for the Affordable Housing Ordinance. "We're missing out on this over 55% of people who are renting, and a good chunk of those are these young people that are affected," Aaron stressed. Bozeman officials voiced support during a recent hearing for adding more than 1,600 affordable housing units in town, and there are more on the horizon. Communities now use incentives to encourage developers to build affordable housing. Disclosure: Forward Montana contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, LGBTQIA Issues, Reproductive Health, and Youth Issues. 

As the housing crisis deepens, "social housing" has emerged as a potential solution. But what does it really mean? This thought-provoking article examines the varied definitions of social housing and the complexities of current proposals. Kristen Hackett, a community organizer with My Eden Voice, raises important questions about financing models, particularly the risks of relying heavily on bonds—challenging us to consider whether these approaches truly serve those most in need or if they inadvertently prioritize middle-income residents. For anyone involved in urban planning, policy, or community development, this analysis offers crucial insights into the future of affordable housing. https://lnkd.in/g_Dv3CV3 #SocialHousing #AffordableHousing #HousingPolicy

Conversations about the “dark side” of development often center around displacement caused by rising rents, but there’s a problem far more pervasive plaguing Pittsburgh neighborhoods, one that often gets overlooked even though it’s right under our noses. Kendall Pelling, executive director of the community development nonprofit Rising Tide Partners, calls it “rotrification”—what happens when decay and blight causes neighborhoods to rot away and become uninhabitable. As he told PublicSource, “Displacement doesn’t just happen because there’s a hot market, and the evil developers come in and buy things up and raise the rents.” Instead, he estimates that more neighborhoods are suffering from neglect than gentrification. Data from Pittsburgh’s Housing Needs Assessment backs this up. The report found that neighborhoods with worsening neighborhood conditions and high vacancy—like Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington, and many others—are seeing large losses in low-income populations. In our latest blog post, we explore this phenomenon and what's driving it: https://lnkd.in/eWCtyct9 #displacement #pittsburgh #pittsburghrealestate #cdc #development

We joined Philadelphia Coalition for Affordable Communities today at City Hall to advocate for affordable and stable housing for Philadelphia residents who need it most. PCAC’s Housing Justice Campaign outlines how Area Median Income, which for Philadelphia is $114,700 because it includes wealthier suburban areas and surrounding counties, does not accurately portray Philadelphia's affordability. Most programs that are intended to create or sustain affordable housing are based off of Philadelphia’s AMI ($114,700). What does this mean? Most programs designed for affordability aren’t actually meeting the existing needs of Philadelphia residents who could benefit most from affordable housing. In Kensington, the median income is $29,000 - nearly 25% of Philadelphia’s AMI. Factor in rapid market rate development, rising home costs, and increases in property taxes, and Kensington residents are at a significant risk of displacement. Through an ongoing planning and implementation process in Kensington, over 650 community members in Kensington have been identifying housing stability as one of six priorities to address for neighborhood revitalization. The recommendations outlined in PCAC’s Housing Justice Campaign can begin to address the housing crisis in Kensington and throughout the city. Head here to read their report: https://lnkd.in/eYFJkmd9 and learn more about what Kensington residents are defining as their priorities here: https://lnkd.in/eyura-J6.