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How Did a Co-op Build Affordable Homes in Ballymun … and Can It Be Done Elsewhere?

Lois Kapila

June 06, 2017 |

Dublin Inquirer |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ireland, Ballymun, Leinster

Drawing on his experience creating affordable housing abroad, Hugh Brennan created the Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance just outside Dublin, Ireland, where state and city officials are grappling with a shortage of affordable housing. The OCCA has brought together local governing councils and private investors to remedy the issue.

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No Matter What Washington Does, One Nonprofit Is Closing the Digital Divide

Issie Lapowsky

May 25, 2017 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oklahoma

With no alternative, some community college students in Talihina, Oklahoma sit in the parking lot of the local hospital at night, logging on to the internet network to complete research papers, oftentimes on smartphones. With Obama-era broadband infrastructure improvement plans now uncertain, one nonprofit is getting "out of the government's umbrella" and working to ensure the goal of connecting 350,000 people nationwide by 2020 is still met. By both building infrastructure and making it more affordable, ConnectHome Nation seeks to answer, "What could they become ... if they just had an equal shot?"

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Leveling the playing field in rent court

The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board

April 30, 2017 |

The Baltimore Sun |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

This is an opinion piece by the paper's staff based on a large series of investigative stories about evictions and substandard housing in Baltimore. It critiques a system that was designed to protect tenants, where they can get a judge to set up an escrow account to collect rent while landlords make repairs, because it usually favors landlords over tenants. The column outlines specific fixes that would address this imbalance, including more code inspections, a more transparent process and laws that hold landlords accountable for substandard properties.

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Will Limited-Equity Cooperatives Make a Comeback?

Lillian M. Ortiz

April 25, 2017 |

Shelterforce |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Limited Equity Co-ops provide a long term, affordable housing solution for tenants. The method began in the 60s and is slowly rising again. In a LEC the value of the housing unit can’t go up to market value, and therefore preserves affordable prices for a longer period of time. “The history of limited-equity co-ops is full of residents who work together to fight eviction and take care of their building.” There are an estimated 160,000 LEC’s nationally.

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Eugene's Tiny House Experiment Expands To Emerald Village

Rachael McDonald

April 20, 2017 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Eugene, Oregon

Almost 4 years ago, Opportunity Village was established in Eugene. It’s a community of tiny houses for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

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A dilemma for renters in Nashville

David Plazas

February 22, 2017 |

The Tennessean |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is trying out creative ways to help residents deal with rising rent. While state policies do not always favor rent control and mixed-income housing units are still years away, several solutions are being implemented right now. Neighborhoods are creating tenant unions and community benefit agreements to ensure that tenants stay up-to-date about housing information. The mayor’s office is also providing financial support to first-time homebuyers.

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Taking Back the South Bronx

Sarah Hayley Barrett

November 17, 2016 |

WNYC |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the face of gentrification in their South Bronx neighborhood, Mott Haven, residents responded by creating the Mott Haven Port Morris Community Land Trust. Inspired by the Cooper Square Committee land trust, Mott Haven’s land trust wants to be responsible for the area’s affordable housing, and it also hopes to facilitate community-building.

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Chicago Renters Back ‘ROOTS' as Solution to Affordable Housing

Chloe Riley

September 21, 2016 |

Equal Voice News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Communities United a grassroots organizations in Chicago is solving the city's housing crisis with a program called ROOTS (Renters Organizing Ourselves to Stay). The organization is bringing together financiers, development organizations and partners to make housing more affordable. ROOTS managed to significantly improve renters' rights law by making amendments to the city’s affordable housing ordinance.

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CMHA police build relationships as they help to solve problems

Rachel Dissell

June 08, 2016 |

Cleveland.com (The Plain Dealer) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority's police force has transformed its culture using a police assistance referral program that focuses on getting people the help they need first rather than arresting them. It's a way to address the underlying issues that prompt an incident by partnering with social workers and nonprofits to help police to look at themselves as problem solvers. The majority of referrals for services focus on violence committed against or in front of children and this is one way to try and address trauma before it wreaks devastation on young lives.

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São Paulo Is Betting Better Urban Planning Can Solve a Housing Crisis

Catesby Holmes

February 08, 2016 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Brazil, São Paulo

The Western Hemisphere’s biggest city has developed a model blueprint for progressive housing policy in developing countries, in large part by affirming squatters' rights and demanding a certain percentage of low-income housing in new developments.

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