Housing California’s Post

Zero Returns to Homelessness - today we launched this vision to reduce homelessness as people return to their communities from incarceration. We all know the challenges - silos, stigma and formal restrictions, criminalization of homelessness, lack of data, missed connections, limited housing opportunities. Together, however, communities are working across systems to overcome these challenges and expand housing access for people returning from incarceration. Pennsylvania and their Department of Corrections are among those states taking up the Zero Returns vision. Their new ReACH program builds upon their Housing Assistance Program to move people quickly into permanent housing from DOC facilities. To support this vision, we have a new Zero Returns to Homelessness website, Zero Returns to Homelessness Resource and Technical Assistance Guide, and upcoming opportunities for states and communities to receive technical assistance to support this vision.

Rev. Babington-Johnson testified that low-income housing is too expensive and rarely built in white areas, claiming these programs benefit affluent whites more than low-skilled Black and brown workers. The state housing agency removed his remarks as "racially insensitive." Prof. Myron Orfield argued these claims need investigation, not silencing. The Stairstep Foundation criticizes Minnesota Housing for not promoting subsidized housing in affluent areas, worsening segregation. Their lawsuit shows only 1.3% of subsidized housing is in affluent areas, while 35% is in poor, racially concentrated areas. In Hennepin County, areas with over 30% nonwhite residents have one subsidized unit for every four nonsubsidized units; in areas with less than 30% nonwhite residents, it’s one subsidized unit for every 24 nonsubsidized units. Successful models from other cities include Montgomery County, MD, which mandates affordable units in new projects, and Portland, OR, which preserves affordable housing in gentrifying neighborhoods. Austin, TX, uses a Housing Trust Fund to incentivize development in higher-income areas. George Floyd's murder by Derek Chauvin highlighted police brutality and racial injustice, was sadly just one example of this pattern: A 2023 study found Black Minnesotans are 5 times more likely to be arrested than whites for similar offenses. Nationally, Black Americans are arrested nearly 3 times more than whites. In Hennepin County, other minority groups face similar issues. Hmong Americans report disproportionate traffic stops and targeted enforcement. Somali Americans have experienced police violence. Jewish communities have seen increased discrimination, with 40% of U.S. adults recognizing significant bias. Arab Americans and Iranians have faced backlash and hate crimes post-9/11. Native Americans are killed by police at 3 times the rate of white Americans. Hispanics also face systemic profiling and discrimination. These facts highlight the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure equity and justice for all communities. Justice Brandeis said, "Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants," stressing transparency and accountability. How can we ensure these reforms are implemented? For more, see: https://lnkd.in/gHfJhaf4 #AffordableHousing #CivilRights #Equality #Hennepin #HennepinCounty #Housing #Inclusion #Justice #Life #Minneapolis #Minnesota #RacialEquity #SocialJustice #Transparency #UrbanDevelopment

Village of Hempstead’s State Of The Village Address Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr. recently held his 3rd State of the Village address at Kennedy Memorial Park. Some of the accomplishments the Mayor spoke about included: •   Repaving roads, not just filling potholes and getting a commitment from the County to put over one million dollars aside to repave county roads in Hempstead. •   Completion of a comprehensive study of the entire village water and sewer system. The village will be constructing a state of the art water treatment facility in order to provide quality and healthy drinking water to village residents. •   The village has purchased two new fire trucks and ten vehicles for the Department of Public Works. •   Replacing outdated parking meters. •   Addressing the sewer infrastructure in downtown. •   Securing $5 million dollars to assist qualified homeowner in the village to make repairs on such items as roofs. •   Put in place initiatives that reduced crime in the village, making the village safer than ever. Future aspirations include updating parks and recreational facilities, continue downtown redevelopment to bring young people, healthcare workers, police officers, and such to the village, and increasing the amount of MTA police in the train station area. Mayor Hobbs announced he will be seeking reelection in 2025, noting, “I’m not about enabling people. I’m about empowering people. More challenges exist, but by working together we can overcome every challenge we face.” Click here to view entire State of the Village. https://lnkd.in/ebemaTrM  

🏛️ Advocacy-minded HBR members, including HBR leadership, are currently in D.C. for the 2024 REALTOR Legislative Meetings. Not only are they gaining valuable insights from the weeklong NAR sessions, but as housing advocates, they are also on Capitol Hill meeting with our Hawai’i Senators and Congressional Representatives to discuss housing affordability, private property rights, and other pressing local real estate issues. #NARLegislative #RealtorsOnTheHill #honoluluboardofrealtors

💪 The Strength of NYC's Governance Structure ⚖️ Unbeknownst to today's (9/26/24) events, last night (9/25/24) in our Public Policy and Planning class at NYU Wagner School of Public Service, we dove deep into the powers and limitations of the mayor's office in NYC. The current situation surrounding Mayor Adams' indictment offers a timely and unique opportunity to explore how NYC's governance structure handles political crises. Here, I break down the implications of the mayor's office being vacated, the line of succession, and the critical roles played by both the governor and City Council in the process: https://lnkd.in/eGeWsNx9 #NYC #Governance #PublicPolicy #LeadershipCrisis #MayorAdams #NYU #WagnerSchool #CityPolitics #PoliticalCrisis #CityCouncil #Governor #CivicLeadership #SuccessionPlanning #GovernanceMatters #CivicEngagement #PublicService

The Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS® is bringing Richard and Leah Rothstein to Greenville on April 18 to discuss their book “Just Action: The Color of Law” as their 2024 Fair Housing event. Racial segregation characterizes every metropolitan area in the U.S. and bears responsibility for our most serious social and economic problems. We’ve taken no serious steps to desegregate neighborhoods, however, because we are hobbled by a national myth that residential segregation is de facto—the result of private discrimination or personal choices that do not violate constitutional rights. The Color of Law demonstrates, however, that residential segregation was created by racially explicit and unconstitutional government policy. Just Action describes how we can begin to address this, providing dozens of strategies local groups can pursue to redress segregation in their own communities. By starting with achievable local victories, we can build a national movement that can remedy our unconstitutional racial landscape. This event is open to the public and you can register at https://ow.ly/4TZT50QRntA. #greenvillesc #yeahthatgreenville #affordablehousing

Village of Hempstead’s State Of The Village Address Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr. recently held his 3rd State of the Village address at Kennedy Memorial Park. Some of the accomplishments the Mayor spoke about included: •   Repaving roads, not just filling potholes and getting a commitment from the County to put over one million dollars aside to repave county roads in Hempstead. •   Completion of a comprehensive study of the entire village water and sewer system. The village will be constructing a state of the art water treatment facility in order to provide quality and healthy drinking water to village residents. •   The village has purchased two new fire trucks and ten vehicles for the Department of Public Works. •   Replacing outdated parking meters. •   Addressing the sewer infrastructure in downtown. •   Securing $5 million dollars to assist qualified homeowner in the village to make repairs on such items as roofs. •   Put in place initiatives that reduced crime in the village, making the village safer than ever. Future aspirations include updating parks and recreational facilities, continue downtown redevelopment to bring young people, healthcare workers, police officers, and such to the village, and increasing the amount of MTA police in the train station area. Mayor Hobbs announced he will be seeking reelection in 2025, noting, “I’m not about enabling people. I’m about empowering people. More challenges exist, but by working together we can overcome every challenge we face.” Click here to view entire State of the Village. https://lnkd.in/eQqaW7QD  

The ENOUGH Act is part of the Moore-Miller Administration's recently announced 2024 legislative package, which includes 16 bills that advance the governor's priorities to make Maryland safer, make Maryland more affordable, make Maryland more competitive, and make Maryland the state that serves.Jan 29, 2024 Governor Moore Unveils ENOUGH Act with Support from State ... Office of Governor Wes Moore (.gov) https://lnkd.in/enUSg34q › news › press › pages › g... About featured snippets• Feedback People also ask What is the Enough Act in Maryland? The ENOUGH initiative will give communities support to address the root causes of poverty in their neighborhoods, working across sectors - including education, health, workforce, housing, and community safety. State funding will be used to leverage federal, local and philanthropic resources.Feb 29, 2024 Governor Moore Testifies in Support of ENOUGH Act

NAR thought leaders discuss Fair Housing today, and take a closer look at how you can take action and help make unfair housing history.

🌟 Appreciating the Power of Well-Researched Knowledge: Reflections on "A Quiet Revolution" 🌟 Last week, I found myself in a thought-provoking conversation with Councilman Will Lahnen of the Jacksonville City Council. We delved into the topic of why Jacksonville decided to transition to a consolidated government, merging city and county functions. In my studies of various cities, I've always found the concept of consolidating government services to be ambitious and intriguing. Council member Lahnen recommended a book titled "A Quiet Revolution," which provides an in-depth look at the consolidation process that brought 840 square miles of Duval County under a unified government. As I pondered this, I reminded myself of Jacksonville's location in the Deep South, where social and racial tensions have historically influenced the provision of services. Despite these challenges, the fundamental role of government remains to provide leadership and service to the community. Jacksonville's history, unfortunately, includes a violent legacy of racism and discrimination, particularly affecting the poor residents of Duval County. The book sheds light on these issues, explaining why such a monumental consolidation effort was undertaken. It wasn't an easy process; opposition was fierce as many sought to maintain the status quo. My admiration grows for those who managed to transform two inefficient government bodies into a functioning metropolis with a vision for the future. "A Quiet Revolution" clarifies the entire process, from its inception to the present, offering a comprehensive history of Jacksonville's administrative evolution. In my three decades of studying various cities, I've learned that no single system of government is without flaws. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. The key takeaway is that the primary purpose of any government is to provide services and enhance the livability of its area. My experiences, both academic and practical, have deepened my understanding of how we coexist. There's no absolute right or wrong in the universe; the onus is on us to get involved in our local communities to effect meaningful change. https://lnkd.in/eN6tKJTe #CommunityEngagement #SelfAwareness #LoveMindset #Governance #WellResearched #LifeLessons #AQuietRevolution #Jacksonville