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Plaza Heralds New Era of Afrocentric Development in Seattle Neighborhood

Gregory Scruggs

August 07, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Central District, a historically black neighborhood in Seattle, is getting a makeover to better align it with its roots. Africatown is a nonprofit community land trust that is using its influence to bring Afrocentric design standards to the neighborhood as well as spurring economic development and construction of affordable housing. One real estate project includes a community mural, more gathering space for residents, and local government support.

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Demystifying the Real Estate Development World for Minority Youth

Emily Nonko

August 01, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Two Detroit-based entrepreneurs are determined to help minority youth become stakeholders in community real estate development. Targeting communities that experience gentrification, Project Destined empowers young students with knowledge about the real estate profession, information that is often passed down through families instead of classroom lessons. "It's not a talent gap, it's an information gap," one of the founders emphasizes.

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'Deck parks' restore community ties in neighborhoods divided by highways

Noble Ingram

July 30, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

Communities, often low-income neighborhoods or communities of color, that were separated by the construction of highways across America are reconnecting by building "deck parks." The parks include room for public green space and new homes, but most importantly, they're intended to recreate a sense of home while mitigating the environmental impacts of interstates.

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Developer tests a new way to fund housing for the homeless: private financing

Doug Smith

July 19, 2018 |

Los Angeles Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In an attempt to increase housing for the homeless in L.A. in a financially sustainable way, FlyAway Homes has started several projects to build homeless housing supported by private investment. Fifty six investors will get a return, though not a large one, on the 9-unit property that will house 32 homeless individuals. This model is more efficient than when a non-profit organization builds homeless housing, and more properties under FlyAway Homes will show if the model is in fact sustainable.

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Tiny Homes Are Baby Steps Toward Reversing the Housing Crisis

Haniya Rae

July 14, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Tiny homes, proposed across the world as a solution to housing problems, come in many forms. Baltimore is trying its own model. A creative partnership under the non-profit Civic Works is connecting people who want affordable homes with youth who want to learn construction skills and get their GED. Though still in the prototype stage, this project will show the potential for collaboration between non-profit groups, developers, and the local government.

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The Bricks Helping to Rebuild Gaza

Elizabeth Davies Harriet Noble

July 02, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Palestine, Gaza Strip

To rebuild Gaza, Green Cake manufactures construction blocks out of locally-available ash and rubble. It’s a low-cost and reliable alternative to importing supplies from Israel.

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How off-the-grid Navajo residents are getting running water

Fred de Sam Lazaro

June 20, 2018 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV Programs |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Thoreau, New Mexico

In the Navajo Nation, a territory the size of West Virginia that spans counties in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, people live in extreme poverty and lack access to clean water or electricity. A group called DigDeep is now serving the Navajo residents with large water storage systems and solar-powered pumps to bring water directly into the home rather than traveling miles away to carry water home. DigDeep is equipping nearly 300 homes in the area and has since received funding from Rotary International to expand their work further.

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How a southwest Detroit construction company is building community by building for the future

Dorothy Hernandez

June 19, 2018 |

Model D |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Saldiver-Ali, cofounder of AGI Construction in Detroit, sees construction as “the first step to community development and sustainability.” The company lives out this mission by engaging with long-time residents. Most recently, they have worked on Detroit Future Ops, a community resource center intended to increase employment of and development by minority contractors. Their mission is to ensure their work helps build up the community in an inclusive manner, today and in the future.

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To Combat Potholes, Cities Turn to Technology

Jenni Bergal

June 18, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Watch out, potholes. Local governments are coming for you. New technology makes it easier than ever to report potholes, track repairs, and anticipate road issues before they even happen.

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Detroit's demolition program under fire for lack of diversity

Katrease Stafford

June 15, 2018 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit had an opportunity to use its huge budget for demolitions to help minority-owned and Detroit-owned businesses, specifically by using Hardest Hit Fund federal dollars. However, the winning contractors largely were not as diverse or as local as many would have liked. Despite public outcry, the city continues to award contracts to large firms, maintaining the status quo stays. Their minimal efforts to change have not gone far enough, and locals are looking to states like Tennessee and South Carolina, hoping its leaders can learn from the success of others and bring more positive change to Detroit.

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