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New Community Responses Bring Hope to the Homeless in Washington, D.C., But They Still Need More Permanent Housing

Joseph Young Robert Warren

August 30, 2020 |

Law at the Margins |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Washington D.C. has decreased the number of people experiencing homelessness through the implementation of its permanent supportive housing programs. The 'housing first' initiatives prioritize providing permanent housing to those experiencing homelessness and then connecting those residents to all the services they need to maintain that housing. There are no requirements of sobriety, employment, or medication to receive the permanent housing. The local government adopted the housing first approach in 2008 and has seen a decline in homelessness.

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Carbon County, aiming to be age-friendly, aligns with national network

Juliana Sukut

August 27, 2020 |

Montana Free Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

AARP is providing the framework, resources and accountability for local governments to make their cities more senior-friendly. From transportation, to health and community services, 450 communities across the country - and two in Montana - have pledged to work toward specific goals within five years. Carbon County has been working on improvements since 2018 and has reevaluated its efforts in the wake of a pandemic that has highlighted the specific vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens.

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700 residents, one COVID-19 case: How a senior living community keeps its distance from the virus

Chris Horne

August 17, 2020 |

WAVY-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Virginia Beach, Virginia

A residential senior center prevented the spread of Covid-19, with just 1 of over 700 residents contracting the virus. In addition to social distancing, hand washing, and outdoor visiting areas, the facility's residents wear colored wristbands, green for those staying on campus and red for those who want to leave. Those who leave cannot use the common areas, gym, or dining area for 10 days after returning, and then are tested for Covid-19 before reintegrating. There are some tensions between the two groups, but federal and state infectious disease experts have called the facility a model for best practices.

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Homeownership for Black families in Milwaukee is worse now than 50 years ago. Could a regional approach to affordable housing help?

James E. Causey

August 07, 2020 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Minnesota

The Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity provides a comprehensive approach to providing affordable housing in seven counties across Minneapolis and St.Paul. The large area it serves allows families to move into either urban or suburban neighborhoods near schools of their choosing and with greater flexibility to take public transportation, jobs, and extracurricular activities into consideration. Milwaukee's uncoordinated efforts to improve housing for low-income families could benefit from a similar approach.

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On dangerous ground

Emma Athena

August 06, 2020 |

Boulder Weekly |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

When an eviction moratorium expired and the government's pandemic aid spigot closed, Boulder County nonprofits and public agencies mounted a coordinated response to address a looming homelessness crisis. A gusher of donations created an eviction legal defense fund, a rental assistance program, and other aid to people struggling to pay utility and food bills. In just three months, 800 households received help in forestalling evictions while thousands more received legal and humanitarian services. Despite the community support, housing risks remain without a resumption of emergency government aid.

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Beirut explosion: Lebanese open their homes to strangers displaced by blast

Olivia Cuthbert

August 05, 2020 |

The National |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Lebanon, Beirut

Within hours of a massive explosion that left 300,000 people homeless, residents in and around Beirut opened their doors to house those impacted by the destruction. Thawramap, which normally identifies locations of peaceful protests, posted a map online showing where housing was available in private homes, hotels, and shelters. Six hours after the explosion 42 locations were available on the map to accommodate thousands, with more offers on social media using the hashtag #ourhomesareopen. Despite intense political polarization that often divides people in Lebanon, residents are displaying great solidarity.

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0%-interest loan program puts economic power in hands of Detroit homeowners

Kate Roff

August 04, 2020 |

Model D |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Homeowners in Detroit can now access home improvement capital to fix up their historic homes, many of which date back to the early 1900s. The aid is in the form of a zero-interest loan which is paid back over 10 years. The program helps homeowners fix their homes, making them safer while removing blight from the community.

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Want More Housing? Ending Single-Family Zoning Won't Do It.

Emily Hamilton

July 29, 2020 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Abolishing single-family zoning rules as an affordable-housing solution has failed in places such as Minneapolis and Oregon because their narrowly drawn reforms left other obstacles in place. Houston serves as an example of effective policies that promote "missing middle" housing – denser developments than detached houses – because it combined its lack of single-family zoning with a reduction in minimum lots sizes. The result is far more affordable housing than in other booming job markets. Lot-size restrictions are among several other rules that can frustrate the desire for more housing.

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How Lightfoot and housing activists reached an uneasy détente in the battle for Woodlawn's future

Alex Nitkin

July 22, 2020 |

The TRiiBE |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

After tense negotiations and protests, the Coalition for a CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) and the mayor of Chicago agreed to an ordinance guaranteeing a percentage of affordable housing for tenants making below 50% of median income. The coalition expects gentrification to accelerate due to the nearby $500 million Obama Presidential Center, making housing unaffordable for current residents. In addition to negotiations, the coalition organized a blockade of the mayor’s office and set up a “tent city” to emphasize their message. Not all residents want the ordinance and neither side got everything they want.

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Behind the Accidentally Resilient Design of Athens Apartments

Feargus O'Sullivan

July 15, 2020 |

Bloomberg |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Greece, Athens

Athens's distinctive apartment buildings, known as polikatoikia, have unintentionally solved problems most cities grapple with. The housing complexes have given rise to a city that has socio-economic integration, decent living conditions, and well-lit apartments with ample outdoor space for fresh air. The varying heights of the buildings have allowed the city to avoid the austerity common for affordable housing projects and efforts to control costs resulted in a modernist design that gives Athens a unique roofscape. Additionally, the outdoor spaces foster a warm and welcoming sense of community.

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