Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.’s Post

Together, we can tackle our most challenging problems. This week I was inspired not by the lofty goals, illuminating research or the theory of change but by the practical, tactical, gritty commitment to get it done. Thanks to the City and partners for hosting the first affordable housing week at city hall and to so many partners in other rooms working on policy change at the state level. A few reflections in the blog linked below.

TIRED OF READING POSTS ABOUT ALL THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BEING BUILT ALL ACROSS AMERICA. ANYTHING SHORT of PERMANENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE. TAXPAYERS CAN NO LONGER AFFORD short-sighted, conflict-ridden, federal, state, and local government programs that "kick the can down the road" that burden future generations. Veteran Housing Corp applauds all efforts to build affordable housing but would challenge the US Congress 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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

🏡 Did You Know? Fort Lauderdale's Housing Challenges 🏡 In a recent WalletHub study, Fort Lauderdale was ranked as one of the least affordable housing markets among 182 cities in the United States. This study compared income with rent, shedding light on a critical issue affecting many South Florida residents. 📉 The reality is that many of our fellow community members are facing significant challenges when it comes to affording their rent. The cost of housing in our beautiful city has been a growing concern, and unfortunately, the situation isn't expected to improve without collective action. At Change Me Foundation, we are committed to addressing issues like affordable housing through advocacy, education, and community support. We believe that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. 🏠💙 Let's work together to make a positive change. Stay tuned for more insights on the challenges our community faces and the solutions we're working towards. Together, we can build a brighter future for all. #DidYouKnow #AffordableHousing #CommunityChallenges #ChangeMeFoundation #FortLauderdaleHousing #BuildingBetterCommunities

On December 19th, the City of Charlottesville voted unanimously to pass historic zoning legislation after almost 7 years of hard work by activists, community members, city staff, city leaders, consultants and experts across the region, pivoting from decades of exclusionary practices and expanding housing opportunity for future generations. The enacted code: • Abolished single family zoning for the entirety of the city of Charlottesville; • Implemented measures to slow displacement in lower-wealth, higher density neighborhoods; and • Established mandatory inclusionary zoning requirements for affordable housing. These are first steps towards becoming a more inclusive city and we, together with the Charlottesville Low-Income Housing Coalition (co-founded by Charlottesville Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR) will continue to fight for housing for all in the region.

In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we would like to share this video from a few years ago that explains the impact that redlining has had on black and brown communities: https://lnkd.in/gHtRDFeK. Redlining has had deep, systemic impact on our communities across California and the country, slowing down or stunting economic growth. This video talks about the origins and legacy of housing discrimination, with reference to Oakland. At Housing Trust, we are committed to changing this history of discrimination. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), our work is grounded in housing justice because we know in our hearts that everyone deserves safe, affordable, health-promoting housing no matter their race, income, gender, ethnicity, or abilities. This is why we do this transformative work. And this is why we all need to support and advocate for pro-housing policies across the country.

Exciting news! Introducing the Saint Paul Shared Ownership Collaborative! We are teaming up with BIPOC-led organizations with a shared belief that our communities should have the power, resources, and support to control and make decisions about their land, jobs, and housing. We imagine strong networks of shared ownership businesses working together. Our goal is to empower local community members to create, own, and protect their homes and workplaces. As a leading organization in Minnesota, we advocate for policies, allocate resources, and offer expertise to make shared ownership models a practical and available way for BIPOC and intentionally underinvested communities to build wealth. As a group that values racial justice, cooperation, and abundance, we understand the importance of working together to create positive change. Our collaboration includes Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, Model Cities of Saint Paul, Inc., Rondo Community Land Trust, and @West Side Community Organization (WSCO) #sharedownership #saintpaul #womenleading #communityownership #placebasedinvestment #solidarityeconomies

Hearing the sad news, today we stop to Honor the remarkable life of Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver, a champion for fairness and affordable housing, community revitalization, and the empowerment of New Jersey's municipalities. Her dedication to public service leaves a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals. #LegacyOfService #FairHousingAdvocate #CommunityRevitalization"

NEWS RELEASE 📰 #NJ Housing and Community Development Association Applauds Advancement of Legislative Initiatives to Close Racial Wealth Gap Today, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly advanced two policy initiatives aimed at closing NJ’s racial wealth gap. The first, which strengthens enforcement against real estate appraisal discrimination, passed the Senate and now awaits Assembly action. The second was voted favorably out of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee. The Community Wealth Preservation Program advances equity in the foreclosure process by helping families and community development organizations to be more competitive during sheriff sales, allowing wealth-generating assets to stay in the community and providing financial security for residents. On today’s legislative action, Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) Directory of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh issued the following statement: “We applaud NJ legislators for taking steps towards breaking down disparities that have harmed NJ’s Black and Brown communities. Racial bias in property appraisals and leaving our communities open to predatory investors have had a negative impact on our residents and our state’s economy. Together, these bills hold tremendous promise to provide affordable homes, expand health security and financial stability, stem foreclosures, close the racial wealth gap, and to reinvest directly into our neighborhoods. “Securing historic and essential housing investments and removing systemic barriers that prevent access to affordable homes is central to our #HouseNJ campaign which aims to make our state a place everyone can afford to call home. We urge the members of the Assembly to vote in favor of these bills and send them to Governor Murphy without further delay.” https://lnkd.in/gp52gitw

'Remembering the Riots: What can we learn from the forgotten riots of summer 2001?' Some of you may remember the disturbances in Oldham, Burnley, and Bradford in summer 2001. I have a particular interest as community cohesion and facilitation policy was part of my team's remit in the old ODPM. In this essay, I look at the cause of the riots, why the disturbances are overlooked, the different policy responses from the Home Office and ODPM, and the lessons we can learn. https://lnkd.in/efRzncn7 #cohesion #community #policy #Bradford #Oldham #Burnley #HomeOffice #justice #riots

DYK, Mutual Housing residents are linked with #affordablehousing advocacy opportunities both locally and statewide? Results from a consumer survey by NeighborWorks America, highlight the disconnect many are feeling with policymakers, with 75% feeling left out of the #affordablehousing conversation. In the spirit of #neighborworksweek, we’re celebrating the opportunities for connection we have successfully made this year between residents and State Legislators, California Housing and Community Development Department leaders, the State Treasurer, Sacramento Mayor, and other local elected officials. As residents are able to share their lived experiences, they are able to provide keen insights for decision makers and help to inform their policy choices surrounding severe housing shortage challenges. https://lnkd.in/giN72QwX