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Beautiful on its own: Boulder County housing authorities employ human-focused design to improve outcomes for affordable housing residents

Caitlin Rockett

May 06, 2021 |

Boulder Weekly |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

In land-scarce Boulder, where high demand has priced many people out of the housing market, government-funded affordable housing has used human-focused design to look every bit as attractive as more expensive housing. Mixed-income developments like 30Pearl, accommodating formerly unhoused and developmentally disabled people, among others, combine quality construction and spacious design with a variety of programs like day care and job training, to improve residents' living conditions.

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As Paradise Rebuilds, It's Also Preparing for the Next Fire

Colleen Hagerty

May 04, 2021 |

Sierra Club |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Paradise, California

After the 2018 Camp Fire that tore through the town of Paradise, California, local residents are starting to rebuild. As of April, the town issued nearly 1,500 building permits. They’re also implementing a plan to remove trees that pose a safety concern for residents, which has been an extensive coordination effort between federal, state, and local government officials. Housing prices in the area have increased significantly making it difficult for some people to rebuild, but some organizations are working to help those that want to return to the area.

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Shortage of paid caregivers keeps family members up at night, hoping for "something sustainable"

Tracy Samilton

April 30, 2021 |

Michigan Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Oregon

Michigan is struggling to retain direct care workers due to poor pay, lack of benefits, and challenging work environments and responsibilities. In Oregon, however, an organizing campaign that allowed voters to have a say in approving a new state agency, "which would train direct care workers, and negotiate contracts with their union," has helped direct care workers in the state obtain raises and benefits. Michigan is now hoping to follow their model.

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Clues to makes resident life work found during pandemic

Roberta Baker

April 29, 2021 |

The Laconia Daily Sun |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Laconia, New Hampshire

Nursing homes adapted to COVID-19 so that they could protect residents’ physical well-being while also preserving their social and emotional health. Staff at Belknap County Nursing Home modified popular activities to make them safe, like hallway bingo, where numbers were called from hallways so that residents could stay in or near their rooms. Participation jumped 30% from pre-pandemic levels. An adaptation to another popular game, “Price is Right,” had staff bringing items, like snacks and toiletries, room-to-room so that residents could guess the price, with the person coming closest winning the item.

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Housing nonprofit provides essential home repairs to Cuyahoga County residents

Collin Cunningham

April 26, 2021 |

The Land |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

A housing nonprofit connects contractors with homeowners in need of urgent repairs. Tax-funded grant dollars are used for crucial projects that affect a resident’s health and safety so that people are not displaced. The initiative prevents homeowners on a fixed income from losing their homes due to unexpected expenses.

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Crypto power: Can solar boost cheap, green homes in S.Africa?

Kim Harrisberg

April 22, 2021 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

Watergate Estate is working on two issues in South Africa: affordable housing and renewable energy. The housing development is installing solar panels for its residents that are being bought by people all over the world using cash or bitcoin as a way to offset their own carbon costs. Not everyone agrees that gated communities like this are helping to fight social inequalities, crime, and unemployment, but about 470 people bought solar cells for the apartment complex and some residents say they feel safer in their community.

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Energiesprong wants every home to be net-zero

Willem Marx

April 20, 2021 |

Hothouse Solutions |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Hem

Inspired by the Dutch concept of “Energiesprong,” or “energy jump,” a developer in France retrofitted a group of townhouses for social housing to be more environmentally friendly. They installed polyurethane facades to avoid heat loss and solar panels on the roof. Upgrading the units to be more green cost more than a conventional retrofit, but over time, energy bills were cut in half. These green retrofits are being implemented in towns around the world and could be a model for developers that want to reduce their carbon footprints.

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How Expanding Vouchers Could Improve Housing Stability

Jared Brey

April 20, 2021 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Housing vouchers have proven to be the most effective intervention to address housing instability in America. The vouchers provide a subsidy that covers the difference between rent and what families can afford to pay. Labeling it as one of the most effective federal housing policies, advocates are pushing for policies that expand the voucher rental assistance.

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LEGO ramps could improve access for Philadelphians in wheelchairs

Michaela Haas

April 13, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Hanau

An ingenious use of LEGOs has resulted in colorful wheelchair ramps around the German town of Hanau. The ramps are constructed using thousands of tiny LEGOs that are glued together and are able to withstand the weight of electric wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. Although the ramps don’t comply with official building and safety codes, they’ve proven to be helpful and have remained in use in Hanau.

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The secret ingredient in Paris' green public housing

Colin Kinniburgh

March 30, 2021 |

Grist |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Paris Habitat, the city’s main social housing agency, used hempcrete — a concrete-like mixture of hemp, lime, and water — as insulation in one of its apartment complexes. This material helps maintain temperature and reduces a building’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The cost of using hempcrete can be expensive but making the material is more environmentally friendly, and has shown that it can be implemented for affordable housing and not just for those who already have the means to pay for it.

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