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Support growing for ‘Pay to Stay' legislation to help curb some evictions

Conor Morris Taylor Haggerty

February 15, 2021 |

ideastream |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Toledo, Ohio

A 'pay to stay' law in Toledo and Yellow Springs, Ohio, is enabling renters to stay in their homes if they can cover any late rental payments in full. Current Ohio law allows a landlord to file for an eviction even if a tenant is just one day late on rent. The new legislation provides protection to tenants but the law differs from city to city. Housing advocates are pushing for the same law in Lakewood, South Euclid, and Cleveland Heights.

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The inside story of how Pennsylvania failed to deliver millions in coronavirus rent relief

Charlotte Keith

February 15, 2021 |

Spotlight PA |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

When Pennsylvania's coronavirus rent relief program rolled out during the first few months of the pandemic, it failed to help many due to strict deadlines, poor information management, a payment cap, and overall procedural limitations. Now, the state is "getting a second chance," and has made modifications to the program in an attempt to avoid the failures of the last round.

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How New York and Paris Got Women Into the Bike Saddle

Phineas Rueckert

February 12, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Citi Bike started the NYC Critical Workers program, which offered free bike-share memberships to essential workers in New York City because of the coronavirus pandemic. The free membership started for one month but was extended to a year. Nearly 30,000 people signed up. Since a large proportion of healthcare workers are women, almost 60% of the new members were women, which increased the company’s female annual members from 32.8 percent to 38.9 percent. Several other cities also saw progress in the gender-balance of bike riders during the pandemic.

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Health Care Institutions Invest in Tenant Protections for Community Health

Alex Williamson

February 12, 2021 |

Shelterforce |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Hospitals and other health care institutions across the United States are investing funds into surrounding communities to tackle issues that directly impact them: Housing stability. They’re funding campaigns that strengthen tenant protections due to the direct link between health outcomes and housing stability.

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American Democracy Is Only 55 Years Old—And Hanging by a Thread

Vann R. Newkirk II

February 11, 2021 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mississippi

The federal Voting Rights Act required states to ensure access to the polls for Black voters and created federal enforcement mechanisms. The law worked well in the Jim Crow South, but it wasn't built to deal with racial disenfranchisement more broadly. Congress and the courts have stripped important provisions from the bill over time, like those ensuring enforcement. A 2013 Supreme Court ruling dismissed the need for preemptive measures to protect Black voters, which created an opening for states to pass more restrictive voting laws that have created unfair burdens for Black, Latino, and Indigenous voters.

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Seattle's Newest Community Hub Was Built, Literally, By Neighbors

Emily Nonko

February 09, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

A collective of artists in Seattle bought real estate for a community center with the help of city funding. Known as Black and Tan Hall, the space drew funding and sweat equity from community members who sought a safe and affordable place to gather. The initiative to buy the building is “an anti-gentrification model that combats displacement, keeps dollars hyper local, and sustains good jobs.”

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To Bridge the Digital Divide, Cities Tap Their Own Infrastructure

Linda Poon

February 08, 2021 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The digital divide has exacerbated the challenge of virtual schooling and has spurred communities to provide affordable internet access. Local governments, nonprofits, and school districts are piloting initiatives to increase digital access for children from economically disadvantaged families. Advocates are pushing for permanent solutions that last after the pandemic in lieu of stopgap actions that have been put in place specifically for virtual schooling.

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16 Raleigh churches begin to chip away at NC's inequity in vaccine distribution

Adam Wagner

February 06, 2021 |

The News & Observer |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Raleigh, North Carolina

A partnership between WakeMed and Wake County Public Health made 1,700 shots available with vaccine clinics in 16 churches and a community center. Trusted messengers, like pastors, are more effective at communicating why people should get vaccinated and convincing them to actually get the shot. Local availability helps people overcome transportation and other equity concerns, like needing access to the county’s online registration system or waiting on hold to make an appointment. The sites offered on-site registration and on-site and culturally and linguistically appropriate information.

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An Architecture Firm's Push to Build Net-Zero Apartments—on a Budget

Russell Gold

February 05, 2021 |

Wall Street Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Apartments at Front Flats, a new residential building in Philadelphia, is powered by 492 solar panels that are wrapped around the building. The point: to demonstrate that developers can design buildings that are energy-efficient and be built at an affordable cost. It’s not clear yet if the building is “net zero” in terms of producing as much energy as it consumes, but residents are paying only $40 a month for utilities.

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Can free cash really solve Philly's poverty problem?

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

February 04, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Universal Basic Income programs around the country have demonstrated the effectiveness of distributing cash to people who are economically struggling. Philadelphia distributed $1.7 million through the Worker Relief Fund in the summer of 2020 when thousands of residents were excluded from federal and state pandemic financial aid and plans are also in motion to provide cash payments to 300 families in need of housing assistance.

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