Escambia County Board of County Commissioners’ Post

Homeownership and Community Development: Homeownership is a key driver of wealth in America. Author Fo Alexander explains that passing down a home is just one way black families can begin to build generational wealth. Without property as a key asset, each generation must find other ways to acquire enough wealth to leave to their children. Encourage investment in affordable housing initiatives, homeownership programs, and community development projects. By stabilizing neighborhoods and increasing property values, these efforts can have a cascading effect on economic empowerment. Pamela Williams-Phelps, MBA #homeownership #blkbusiness

Learning that we are recipients of Maryland DHCD's Project Restore 2.0 grant was an exciting milestone for our organization. It's not often talked about, but community leaders are often learning alongside community stakeholders. They are learning how regional history informs cultural attitudes. How organizational nuances, partner's strengths, and gaps in the system affect achievement. They are assessing and cataloging the past while trying to write new possibilities into the future. They are working to bring people sometimes with competing interests to a place of cooperation. They are trying to find ways to make big, uncharted dreams a shared reality. Our organization has undergone both public and private growing pains over the last 2 years. We have had to assess our place in the community, and how we are postured to address the challenges facing our local brick-and-mortar businesses. These growing pains have been a critical opportunity for us to rekindle meaningful relationships with our stakeholders, identify the value we are uniquely positioned to add to our district, and articulate how we will choose to show up as partners each day. This is a huge win for our community because this grant empowers us to live our ethos is meaningful, measurable ways. Ways that go beyond marketable bullet points and resumé worthy wins, but speaks life into the in-between space where economic development affects real people in their homes, and places of employment, and in their day-to-day lives.

These Choice Neighborhoods awards exemplify the transformative power of place-based neighborhood revitalization. Of this $325 million federal investment, every $1 in HUD funds will generate $8.65 in additional resources. Collectively, the 7 new awardees will invest more than $2.65 billion in their respective neighborhoods, develop over 6,500 new mixed-income units, and one-for-one replace 2,677 severely distressed public housing units. Two projects I'll highlight: The Syracuse Housing Authority's $50 million award will support 1,404 new mixed-income housing units in the East Adams neighborhood, a historically Black community whose residents were displaced in 1959 when several blocks were razed for the construction of Interstate 81. As part of this project, the elevated portions of I-81 will be torn down thanks to a $180 million Reconnecting Communities Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation via the #infrastructure law. The Houston Housing Authority's $50 million award will redevelop the Cuney Homes public housing property and the surrounding historically Black Third Ward neighborhood, a community that George Floyd once called home. The Third Ward was home to many residents emancipated from slavery in the years after Houston’s 1837 founding. When completed, the redevelopment will feature 1,115 mixed-income, transit-oriented units and offer increased access to mental health care, local education resources, and workforce programs. #PublicHousing #Revitalization

REACH Community Development - consider this . . . . Veteran Housing Corp applauds all efforts to build affordable housing but would challenge each and every local, state, and federal housing agency or affordable housing developer to do better in 2024 and beyond. Veteran Housing Corp demands permanent affordability for all projects receiving government funding, subsidies, tax credits, or other incentives! Veteran Housing Corp demands transparency and every local, state, and federal government agency and other stakeholders MUST provide answers to questions about the housing projects that are built with government funding, subsidies, tax credits, or incentives, including the following: 1. How much funding, federal tax credits, or government benefits or incentives from all government sources did the projects receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? 3. What guarantees exist that tenants will not be displaced after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions!  https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU

I signed a petition telling the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) that "It’s Time that San Francisco Puts Affordability & Equity First!" So many people could benefit from SF prioritizing equity-based policies for affordable housing, tenant protections, and community planning, and not developer giveaways. HCD can make sure the equity-based actions in San Francisco's Housing Element are prioritized, and are no longer ignored. Join me in calling on HCD, the SF Board of Supervisors, and SF Mayor London Breed to put affordability and equity first! Let's prioritize real solutions for our most pressing housing needs! Do you have less than 30 seconds to spare? Please sign the petition here: https://lnkd.in/gmKspw3Q

The Microenterprise Navigator Program will be serving 120 microenterprises from underserved and historically underinvested communities in Marion County. We know first hand the tremendous positive transformation that business owners go through when they participate in this program. If you know of someone that would benefit from it, please refer them to one of the selected sites that will be implementing it. #smallbusinesssupport #microenterprisesupport

The Vision Statement for the Sacramento 2040 project, adopted by City Council in 2019, states, “In 2040, the City of Sacramento will be a national model of sustainable, equitable growth and community development.” I believe this plan truly lives up to its vision for the city. As California’s first Prohousing designated city, Sacramento is a statewide leader in housing and breaking barriers in building more equitable communities, which historically have been restricted by land use policies set many years ago. One of those policies, representing missing middle housing, is replacing all single-family home only zoning areas with a much more flexible citywide code. This will allow smaller, more attainable units — such as triplexes, fourplexes and cottage courts in every neighborhood. Sacramento will be the first city in California to do so.

🏡 Building Stronger Communities Together: Our Partnership with Housing Colorado 🛠️ Brinkman Construction is excited to join Housing Colorado, marking a significant step to improve access to affordable housing across the state. Housing Colorado's mission to promote safe, healthy, quality, affordable housing aligns closely with our commitment to community development. This partnership enhances our efforts to address the housing needs of low- to moderate-income Coloradoans, leveraging education and advocacy to make a tangible impact. Joining Housing Colorado connects us with a diverse network, offering: • Educational Resources: Access to resources and training. • Networking Events: Opportunities to connect with professionals and organizations. • Policy Advocacy Platform: A chance to contribute to legislative changes. • Collective Knowledge and Experience: Sharing insights and learning from the community’s vast experience. We are excited to partner with Housing Colorado, moving confidently toward a future of accessible affordable housing. #brinkmanconstruction #driventobuild #affordablehousing

The Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development is soliciting ideas for panel topics for its Annual Conference, May 22-24, 2024 in Washington, DC. Is there a particular affordable housing or community development topic you would like to see covered at the conference? Are there cutting edge issues or recent trends you have seen in the affordable housing or community development fields that you recommend we feature as the conference? Please note that the submission of panel topics is not a guarantee that the Forum will select the topic or select the person(s) proposing the topic to present the topic at the conference. We want to hear from you, so click the link below to complete the survey. See you in DC, May 22-24, 2024! https://lnkd.in/ejhhTMX9

The City of Bloomington's 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan is available for public review! Planned spending makes critical investments in housing, infrastructure, social services, and much more. This year's planned investments from CDBG funding include... -Nearly $400,000 in affordable housing preservation 🏠 -Over $80,000 for financial services, services for unhoused community members, and neighborhood revitalization 🏘 -Almost $100,000 in sidewalk improvements ♿ -Over $50,000 in public housing modernizations 🏗 - $16,000 in fair housing activities ⚖ -Over $30,000 for community planning 🗂 You can see the entire draft plan here: https://lnkd.in/gAGuuYxg