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Jumpstart trains developers to fight gentrification in Philly neighborhoods

Courtney Duchene

September 29, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jumpstart Germantown and five spinoff programs trained about 1,000 people in the art of locally controlled neighborhood rehabilitation. The Jumpstart programs target particular neighborhoods, mainly mid-range housing stock with vacant and deteriorating conditions, and lend money to newly minted developers to fix and resell the properties. Housing rehabs maintain the character of neighborhoods, rather than gentrifying them or making wholesale redevelopment changes. Beyond the community improvement benefits, the program helps diversify the real estate business and provides employment opportunities.

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How a housing-first strategy could save domestic violence survivors during a pandemic

Conor Morris

September 22, 2020 |

The Land |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

To provide emergency housing to domestic violence victims without crowding them into shelters during the pandemic, Ohio victim-aid groups have helped hundreds of families to flee violence and find safe housing in subsidized apartments or short-term hotel stays. One program, the REACH Rapid Rehousing program, has given rental assistance to more than 100 families in rural counties who need but cannot afford permanent alternative housing. Another, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, has housed 126 families in hotels for up to two weeks at a time.

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Rapid rehousing strategy helps protect domestic violence victims during a pandemic

Conor Morris

September 21, 2020 |

FreshWater Cleveland |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

A housing program known as REACH Rapid Rehousing program is providing relief for domestic violence survivors who are left without shelter and financial aid. Rent, utilities, and security deposits are provided for up to nine months. The program proved to be a lifeline, especially during COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Detroiters are Fighting for the Right to Water

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak

September 18, 2020 |

Belt Magazine |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Throughout the United States, people living below the federal poverty level often struggle to pay for utilities, but in Philadelphia, the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) aims to alleviate that burden by basing water utility rates on income. In the four years since the program launched, more than 15,000 residents have participated and 96% of those participants have avoided water shutoffs.

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How a Charlotte Nonprofit Links Landlords With People Experiencing Homelessness

Jared Brey

September 15, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

A real estate developer has teamed up with homelessness service organizations to house working families. The Lotus Campaign gives landlords $1,000 a year to rent a unit to a family that is at risk of homelessness or is already experiencing it. Rent is paid by the organization and any damages to the unit are covered. Landlords taking part in the program waive security deposits, credit checks, records of employment, and provide a 30-day window before seeking evictions. The pilot program intends to demonstrate that the private housing sector can alleviate homelessness if given the chance and the incentive.

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'It's like family': Swedish housing experiment designed to cure loneliness

Derek Robertson

September 15, 2020 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Helsingborg

A multigenerational housing program in Sweden aims to combat social isolation of seniors and increase understanding between native Swedes and the young refugee population. About half of the 72 residents are over 70 and the rest are aged 18-25 from culturally diverse backgrounds. To live there, residents must agree to socialize for at least 2 hours a week. The coronavirus revealed a need to ensure all residents take precautions to protect the higher-risk seniors but is also revealed the strength of the relationships formed, where the younger residents helped run errands and care for their senior neighbors.

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How South African activists hope to integrate cities built to divide

Ryan Lenora Brown

September 11, 2020 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Johannesburg

The South African government has provided free apartments to millions of people since the end of apartheid, in part as a way to address structural inequalities rooted in apartheid. The program has been a lifeline for many but has also exacerbated segregation because the housing is built just outside of cities, where Black, Asian, and mixed-race South Africans were once legally required to live. This creates new structural inequalities because it makes it harder to access good jobs, which tend to be in the city center. Advocates are now petitioning the government to build housing in the city center.

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Cooperative Housing Is Redefining 'Home' for People with Disabilities

Eric Krebs

September 11, 2020 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Illinois

Striking a balance between interdependence and independence is crucial for those living with disabilities. Finding affordable housing that is accessible and accommodates a disability is difficult to secure and often the only options are institutionalized living. Able Community is a non-profit cooperative that has designed a house which provides independence along with all the accommodations needed for residents. Residents control critical aspects of the experience from health care to food options and maintenance. The Able community plans to scale its affordable and accessible housing plan.

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For many Chicago communities, there is no COVID safety net. So teachers are stepping in.

Yana Kunichoff

September 08, 2020 |

Chalkbeat Chicago |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, teachers across the city created mutual aid groups to help students and their families pay rent, buy groceries, or cover medical bills. By using their existing networks, social media, and apps like Venmo, groups have been able to raise thousands of dollars. One mutual aid group from Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Humboldt Park raised $34,288 in about six months. “If we don’t help, who will?”

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Minnesota roommate program hopes to improve caregiving for people with disabilities in Minnesota

Neal St. Anthony

September 06, 2020 |

Minnesota Star Tribune |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Melrose, Minnesota

A new housing program in Minnesota is building off of an existing program to better provide housing for the developmentally disabled and their potential caregivers. The program known as "Rumi" helps cut costs associated with such housing by creating "a relationship-based model between developmentally disabled folks and full-time roommates who care for them in their homes."

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