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Chicago remade its 127-year-old rapid transit system. Are there lessons for Metro?

Lori Aratani

August 02, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Officials who want to improve Washington D.C.'s unreliable metro system look to the Chicago Transportation Authority to find examples of success in rebuilding a subway system. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel prioritized upgrading tracks and stations and has seen a large increase in daily riders and overall satisfaction with the system since the renewal took place. Now, Washington officials invite advice and collaboration in their quest to revamp the region's metro system.

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Fairfield County's new jail could serve as example for Wayne County

Emily Morgan

July 30, 2019 |

The Daily Record |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Fairfield, Ohio

In 2017, Ohio’s Fairfield County built a new jail that, for the first time in a long time, met minimum jail standards. Using bonds, the new jail included an increase in the amount of living space, better security standards, and more space and capacity for classes like drug and alcohol programming, GED prep, and job skill building. Six hours north, Wayne County looks to Fairfield as they face pushback in their attempts to create a new jail with similar improvements.

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Some cities and towns see tax-break deals as key to economic growth

Matt Pilon Gregory Seay Greg Bordonaro

July 22, 2019 |

Hartford Business Journal |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford, Connecticut navigates the complex web of public taxation with the implementation of tax-breaks for developments like affordable housing, daycares, and industrial reinvestment sites. Though tax-breaks are controversial to some -- they can often cast a wide net in the business world -- they have been effective in combating overly inflated property taxes in Hartford and other cities around the country.

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Rural Michigan needs doctors. Paying their debts may be an answer

Robin Erb

July 22, 2019 |

Bridge Magazine |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Grant, Michigan

A state-funded loan repayment program makes Michigan stand out in a competitive market for doctors and health care professionals. To help reduce the shortfall of healthcare professionals in underserved, rural communities, the Michigan Loan Reimbursement and Employment Solution (MiLES) currently offers student loan repayment in exchange for a multi-year commitment from doctors. The success of the program has generated efforts to expand loan repayment caps and the length of employment commitments for healthcare professionals.

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San Francisco Financial Justice Project Enacts Landmark Reforms

Liza Ramrayka

July 17, 2019 |

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

In San Francisco, the first Financial Justice Project is working with the city to eliminate fines and fees that hold back people experiencing poverty and financial instability and also cost the city more than they can recover. So far, the innovative program has made all phone calls from jail free, cleared outstanding holds on driver's licenses for missing a traffic court date, announced the elimination of all library fines, and more - and cities across the country are taking not and exploring similar changes.

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I've seen the future and it's Norwich: the energy-saving, social housing revolution

Oliver Wainwright

July 16, 2019 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Norwich

A neighborhood of 100 homes in Norwich offers a solution to the affordable housing crisis through no-frills public housing. The homes, part of a social housing project funded by the Norwich City Council, meet modern energy efficiency standards that allow residents to pay nearly 70% less in energy bills than other neighborhoods.

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There Is Power in a Debtors' Union

Hannah Appel

July 12, 2019 |

Dissent Magazine |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Debtors’ unions can use collective nonpayment of debts to fight against unfair lending practices. Amid the United States’ student loan financial crisis, debtor organizations like the Debt Collective leverage organization and collective action to seek financial justice. Prior to forming the Debt Collective, activists in the group Rolling Jubilee purchased and cancelled student debt portfolios from Corinthian Colleges Inc.

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Inside the Ambitious Campaign to Drive Homicides in Chicago Below 400

Brian Freskos

July 11, 2019 |

The Trace |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, community organizations, public officials, and private funders have come together behind a campaign called “<399” – with the goal of bringing homicides to under 400. This collaboration has taken on a comprehensive, community-centered approach that includes initiatives like community outreach, individual support, and mentoring. While they’ve received significant funding from the city, they’re hoping to secure long-term financial and political support from all levels of government.

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What Gun Violence Prevention Looks Like When It Focuses on the Communities Hurt the Most

Elizabeth Van Brocklin

July 10, 2019 |

The Trace |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Across the United States, gun violence prevention initiatives are finally turning their attention to the urban communities hit hardest and supporting community-driven approaches. In the past, financial support has gone to linear, legislative approaches to gun control that often favor white communities, but the tides are turning. Funding has shifted to focus on initiatives that provide trauma recovery centers, hospital-based centers, and programs that provide communities hit the hardest with mentorship, job training, and therapy – all initiatives that have proven to help break the cycle of gun violence.

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Detroit Bail Project aims to disrupt the process of cash bail and incarceration

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak

July 09, 2019 |

Model D |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

The Bail Project is posting bond for men and women who cannot afford to pay and haven’t been convicted of a crime. Based in Detroit, the nonprofit has locations across the country and uses a revolving fund to bail out individuals, meaning once the bond is recovered, the funding is then available for another person. Its Detroit location has bailed out nearly 200 individuals in an effort to end mass incarceration and prove that holding people – most of whom are people of color or experiencing poverty – does not diminish recidivism.

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