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The housing policy that's turning back gentrification

Nick Bowlin

June 30, 2020 |

High Country News |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

A "right-to-purchase" policy has enabled nonprofits to purchase residential buildings in gentrified neighborhoods in order to prevent the displacement of those relying on rent-controlled housing. Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is a Bay Area nonprofit leading the cause to counter gentrification and prevent developers from purchasing residential buildings that house low and moderate-income households. MEDA has purchased and managed 32 buildings and is one of fewer than 10 nonprofits in the area that exercise the "right-to-purchase" policy.

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Energy efficient homes mean less air pollution. But are they affordable?

Heather May

March 09, 2020 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kearns, Utah

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution, Habitat for Humanity Salt Lake Valley is building airtight homes that will also reduce energy costs and be affordable for people experiencing economic hardship. The home are largely being built by volunteers, so the process has been slow and there have been mistakes in building the homes. However, the homes are estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4.9 tons a year.

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How the Knox County Land Bank is affecting local communities

Cheryl Splain

March 02, 2020 |

Knox Pages |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Mount Vernon, Ohio

The Knox County Land Reutilization Corporation, also known as the Knox County land bank, takes abandoned properties that are vacant and tax delinquent, revitalizes them, and then sells them to new owners. This eliminates blight around the county and encourages economic development. The Land Bank President estimates that for every $1 the land bank spends, they generate $33.82 in redevelopment. Operating in earnest since the fall of 2018, the land bank has brought $3.5 million in reinvestment into the county. They are now looking to acquire even more buildings and financially support individual homeowners.

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Jacksonville Organization Attacks Violence, Blight With Holistic Approach

Claire Goforth

February 27, 2020 |

Juvenile Justice Information Exchange |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Jacksonville, Florida

After the residential real estate market collapsed a decade ago, a developer that had been revitalizing an impoverished Jacksonville neighborhood with single-family homes pivoted to a broader approach to reducing crime and blight. Progress has been difficult, and violence in the neighborhood remains high. But, by building larger complexes and offering an array of services and interventions, Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation is achieving slow but steady social change.

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Seattle nonprofits and Zillow launch affordable housing search tool

Julia Falcon

February 14, 2020 |

HousingWire |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

The City of Seattle partnered with Zillow to create a searchable database of affordable vacant rental units. Case managers are using the tool to get homeless residents into housing.

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How America's shrinking cities can 'rightsize'

Matt Krupnick

February 13, 2020 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Once-bustling cities contend with population decline by rethinking their use of space for those who remain. Baltimore, New Bedford, and Youngstown have implemented strategies that range from knocking down abandoned houses and factories to developing community gardens and creating public waterfront spaces. Racial and class tensions have arisen when choosing where to spend limited government funding.

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Cities and Nonprofits Rescue Abandoned Properties to Reduce Housing Shortage

Derrick Rhayn

January 28, 2020 |

Nonprofit Quarterly |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Lincoln, Nebraska

Nonprofits and city governments are looking to abandoned homes and vacant lots as a potential source of land on which to build affordable housing.

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An Airbnb for the Formerly Incarcerated

Lauren Markham

December 16, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

The Homecoming Project in Oakland provides people recently released from prison with a soft landing by giving them free housing for six months, along with a menu of support services, in private homes willing to take in the formerly incarcerated. The recently released are at high risk of both homelessness and recidivism, two factors the program addressed successfully in its first group of tenants. With fundraising challenges, the program remains small. But it is developing a tool kit to help others replicate its model.

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The world's first 3D-printed neighborhood now has its first houses

Adele Peters

December 11, 2019 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Tenosique, Tabasco

3D-printed homes offer a solution to affordable housing in remote and underserved areas. New Story, nonprofit in San Francisco that specializes in 3D printed homes, recently expanded its work to Tabasco, Mexico. After using 3D printers to help communities in El Salvador, Bolivia, and Haiti rebuild after natural disasters, the nonprofit has brought its model to create an affordable neighborhood in rural Mexico. Partnering with Icon, the developers of a 3D printer, and a local nonprofit, Echale a Tu Casa, the initiative has created its first homes for residents.

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Ypsi charity helps formerly homeless people furnish their new homes

Sarah Rigg

December 11, 2019 |

Concentrate |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ypsilanti, Michigan

A nonprofit was born out of a gesture of kindness from a group of friends who came together to fix and furnish a home for a single mom suddenly finding herself without a place to stay. House N2 Home has renovated and furnished homes for dozens of families and has partnered with local organizations such as a domestic violence shelter, a Salvation Army family center, and an interfaith group that provides homelessness services to the community.

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