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A Divided Neighborhood Comes Together under an Elevated Expressway

Katy Reckdahl

August 20, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Community organizing may be the key to a comeback along New Orleans’ Claiborne Avenue. Once home to a booming block of African American-owned businesses, many left once a new expressway demolished the street in the 1960s. Now, community input is essential in rebuilding. A new master plan included 11 meetings with residents to share their priorities. The painted murals, live jazz performances, and local gatherings still happening show that the Claiborne Corridor will remain home to its long-time residents, even in a new format.

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For Women, by Women: A Sisterhood of Carpenters Builds Tiny Houses for the Homeless

Lornet Turnbull

August 17, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Women4Women is an initiative that brings tradeswomen together in the construction field to do volunteer work for others. Since women represent just ten percent of construction workers in the United States, having the camaraderie and support of other women provides a place to turn when their authority is challenged. They are putting their skills to good work: the group recently built 15 tiny homes in Seattle that will act as emergency shelter for homeless women, and they have also repaired homes for the elderly.

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Giving new life to vacant buildings can boost struggling towns

Eillie Anzilotti

August 15, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Newburgh, New York

In New York, an intentional form of housing development is keeping affordability in mind. Neighbors for Neighborhoods provides funding for locals to redevelop blighted property from land banks and rent it out as affordable housing. The parameters ensure local impact: there is a limit to how many properties an individual can rent out, and the properties must be rented to people making below 80% the median income in the region. The program has $4 million in funding so far.

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How these Portland residents got to own a piece of their neighborhood

Oscar Perry Abello

August 14, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

A unique financial set up in Portland has led to the creation of the East Portland Community Investment Trust, in which residents in four local zip codes can invest small amounts of money into local projects, specifically shares of a shopping center. To invest, community members need to take a short financial literacy class. So far, the average investment is just $80, but that still pays annual dividends that are meaningful to its investors.

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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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