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The Great Los Angeles Revolt Against Cars

David Dayen

July 17, 2017 |

The American Prospect |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles has faced deepening issues of severe traffic and extreme smog pollution in the past several decades, but for years intentions and promises to broadly improve transportation have fallen flat. At long last, the most congested city in the world - once home to the most extensive urban rail network on the planet - is reviving rail lines and trains as a solution to both issues. Robust public transport has proven to have multi-layered economic, cultural, environmental, and social benefits to communities.

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As Philly's inmate population plummets, why aren't we saving any money?

Anna Orso

July 12, 2017 |

Billy Penn |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Reducing inmate populations doesn’t necessarily cut costs. The funding equation is far more complex. Complying with employee pension laws, offering more services to inmates, and other growing costs can replace any savings from reforms that shrink the incarcerated population.

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How Long Beach Coordinated the Fight Against Homelessness

Juan Pablo Garnham

June 29, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Long Beach, California

Unlike the rest of Los Angeles County, the City of Long Beach has managed to decrease its homeless population; coordination of key departments has been crucial to the city's success. "Since 2015, Long Beach has increased housing units for homeless residents and veterans from 1,354 to 2,144," in part because of their use of a Multi-Service Center, which serves as a hub for their coordinated entry approach -- but there are reasons to believe the approach will not be easy to scale to other cities.

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Rethinking Homeless Shelters From the Ground Up

Krutika Pathi

June 28, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The homeless population in NYC stands at the highest number since the Great Depression. The Bowery Residents Committee has suggested changes to how shelters emerge, run and are funded. With a focus on results-based funding, the BRC advocates for the prioritization of impact on the people served. It rewards locations that demonstrate a high ratio of people moving in to those returning; "building to the function" of helping people re-enter society; and eliminating private landlords.

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Addicts Need Help. Jails Could Have the Answer.

Sam Quinones

June 16, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Covington, Kentucky

Kentucky is rethinking its penal system for dealing with drug offenders and has shown success in reducing recidivism and relapse rates. Instead of leaving addicts to languish in the typical jailhouse environment of "extortion, violence and tedium," more than two dozen of the state's county jails have created separate units devoted to full-time addiction treatment and support-services for prisoners that involve peer-policing.

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Colo County Offers Housing Comparison

Chris Rourke

June 15, 2017 |

Gunnison Country Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Breckenridge, Colorado

As second-home owners increase property values and decrease the supply of residences in Gunnison County, its year-round community faces a dwindling affordable housing stock. Nearby, a popular tourist town of Breckenridge in neighboring Summit County has been able to deliver a measurable increase in affordable homes. The Gunnison County Housing Authority is following Summit's goal-oriented, community-driven solution, and turning to residents to form a community plan and vision.

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Chicago Youth Help Decide Where Public Funds Go

Martín Xavi Macías

May 30, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is asking its citizens, including youth, to help determine how to spend public money. Participatory budgeting involves communities identifying their greatest needs and guiding spending towards solutions.

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The Detroit Success Story Visible From Space

Erick Trickey

May 18, 2017 |

Politico |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In just three years, Detroit carried out an ambitious $185 million project to re-illuminate the city's 88,000 streetlights, half of which were dark, with new energy-efficient LED lights. Through its new Public Lighting Authority, the city used an innovative funding scheme to pay for the lights even in the midst of municipal bankruptcy. After the lights went up, residents felt safer, and businesses felt a noticeable bump.

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Nearby Hudson may have found internet desert solution

Noah Jones

May 11, 2017 |

Richland Source |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hudson, Ohio

Hudson was an internet desert, with slow and unreliable internet services and companies refusing to provide better internet since it wouldn't be very profitable. Thus, the city created its own internet company-Velocity Broadband, which already has more business customers than expected, has been receiving positive feedback- including residents wanting to access the service, and has sparked businesses to move to the area.

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Participatory Budgeting: The People's Budget

Sophia Paliza-Carre

April 26, 2017 |

WNYC |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, North Shore, Staten Island, New York

Participatory budgeting is a way for citizens to directly influence government spending. The idea is taking off in New York with city councils in all five boroughs now putting money into these “people’s budgets.” Citizens propose ideas of how to spend the money, usually one million dollars or more, then vote. Past projects have included creating a teen space, planting trees, and building a community recording studio.

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