THE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES PROJECT’s Post

We’re witnessing a transformative time in Maryland as new legislation paves the way for more accessible and affordable housing. Governor Wes Moore's recent enactment of a landmark housing bill is set to remove many of the regulatory and zoning barriers that have long restricted housing development, offering new hope to families and individuals in need of affordable options. In contrast, Baltimore County is considering adjustments to its Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO), proposing changes that could impact new housing developments in school-overcrowded areas. As we continue to advocate for equitable housing solutions, understanding these legislative moves is crucial. Stay informed on these developments and explore their potential impact on our community: https://lnkd.in/e2GdTqbz

Today I spoke at Philadelphia City Council in favor of a resolution introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau urging the Biden administration to release the final version of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" Rule (AFFH). For those that don't know, The Fair Housing Act requires HUD and its grantees to take meaningful action to affirmatively further fair housing throughout the United States. In 2015, the Obama administration took an incredibly meaningful step in promulgating a federal rule to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. The 2015 rule required HUD and its grantees to complete an Assessment of Fair Housing that was required to lay out issues around equitable housing and concrete steps to ensure that all families were given equal access to housing giving those families the opportunity to thrive. In 2023, the Biden administration published a proposed update to the AFFH, which further built upon the promise the Obama administration had begun to deliver. However, despite receiving hundreds of comments in support of the proposed rule, the Biden admin has failed to release the final rule. In enacting Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, Congress recognized that "where a family lives, where it is allowed to live, is inextricably bound up with better education, better jobs, economic motivation, and good living conditions." Failure to release this rule ensures that many families, most of them Black and brown, will never be able to access the well resourced communities of their white peers. Decreasing segregation benefits every one of us. Evidence has long shown that educational outcomes, health outcomes, and criminal justice outcomes improve across every demographic the more that communities are successfully integrated with one another. Release of this rule is a move closer to realizing the dream of the Fair Housing Act to "provide fair housing throughout the United States."

Fair Housing Friday: President's Day Weekend Edition! The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968, but the language of the law requires continual effort to make our communities more just. A portion of the FHA requires governments and organizations to be "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing," or in other words, to proactively take actions to overcome patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, eliminate disparities in opportunities, and foster inclusive communities free from discrimination. To learn more about Open Communities' work in fair housing, visit https://lnkd.in/gU6SfJC5

New Jersey’s affordable housing rules have changed. The new legislation eliminates COAH and changes the vacant land regulations and available bonus credits. The bill also includes strict deadlines for municipalities to calculate their affordable housing obligation and prepare a new Housing Element. Please reach out to learn more and how we can help you navigate the new affordable housing requirements!

Reading this book last week and attending Levin College of Public Affairs and Education's Norman Krumholz Future of Urban Planning Lecture Series this week, I learned about the City of Cleveland - City Hall City Planning Commission's 1975 Policy Planning Report. I keep thinking about the philosophy of equity planning: "In a context of limited resources, institutions should give priority attention to the goal of promoting a wider range of choices for those Cleveland residents who have few, if any, choices." I wish I had read Making Equity Planning Work back when Norm was still around and when I held leadership positions in City Hall. I could have been more of a risk taker and helped more people, I think. For example, when I was Director of Community Development, we kept residential tax abatement the same when we could have changed it to encourage development in weaker markets while not depriving our schools of revenue by giving unnecessary abatement in stronger markets. I also keep thinking about Cuyahoga County's "actionable" 8-point plan to address the housing needs of individuals who have been incarcerated. I am glad it is "actionable," but I would be even more glad if the County took those recommended actions. Rolling out a plan to give a wider range of choices for those who have few, if any, choices--like the formerly incarcerated--is great, but executing on that plan is what is needed.

A new Utah Foundation survey, sponsored by Call to Action Foundation, shows that municipal officials and staff are generally in favor of fostering affordable housing in their communities. However, they see the most substantial barrier to affordable housing is community opposition. “Decisions on which affordable projects get approved and which don’t often come down to city officials with varying levels of knowledge,” said Drew Maggelet, Director of Housing for Call to Action Foundation. “By surveying city officials on affordable housing, we learn more about where most decision-makers are on the topic and how developers and other stakeholders can educate and dispel common misconceptions. The more that all Utahns understand, the more likely they will be to embrace the benefits of building affordable housing in their backyard.” Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gShCZne4

If you are curious at all about what city leaders think about #AffordableHousing in #Utah and how they are approaching it, I highly recommend reading this full report. Thanks to the Utah Foundation for partnering with us on this fascinating survey!

On May 6, join me and @housing-leadership-council-of-san-mateo and @Partnership for the Bay’s Future to explore an innovative model that facilitates community and government collaboration and develops trusting, effective partnerships for creating and implementing equitable housing policies. This model ensures community leaders have a seat at the table and can better understand the inner workings of government, ensuring those usually excluded from government and policymaking are at the center of efforts for change. Discover how these partnerships facilitate systemic change and structural reforms, as well as the “all-in” approach of cross-sector collaboration and solidarity, showcasing the model’s potential to bring various stakeholders together for meaningful change. https://lnkd.in/gt6KYzfr

Explore the enduring political topics that shape Chicago's landscape in The Chicago Journal. 🌆 From discussions on urban development and infrastructure to debates on education reform and public safety, this platform provides a comprehensive overview of the city's political discourse. Dive into insightful analyses and perspectives on key issues that continue to drive conversations and policy decisions in Chicago. Whether you're a resident, policymaker, or political enthusiast, stay informed about the pressing matters impacting the Windy City. Stay engaged with The Chicago Journal. #ChicagoPolitics #UrbanDevelopment #PolicyDebates #ChicagoJournal 🏙️ https://lnkd.in/dKV8ai3g

Making Housing a Human Right in California: A Townhall // Hacer Vivienda Como un Derecho Humano en California: Un Foro Advocates, experts, and organizers from across the state of California hosted a town hall on efforts to guarantee the right to housing in California's constitution. Panelists explores how international human rights principles can inform housing justice efforts in California, how a human rights framework applies to housing policy at the state and local levels, as well as the status of ACA 10 — a bill that would enshrine a human right to housing in the state constitution. Watch the recording to learn more about what a right to housing means, why it matters, and how international human rights principles apply to work to advance housing justice in California. Speakers Leilani Farha, Former United Nations Rapporteur Matt Haney, California Assemblymember Rasheedah Phillips, Housing Director at PolicyLink Professor Farrah Hassen, Cal Poly Pomona Event sponsored by: UCLA’s Promise Institute on Human Rights, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Housing Now!, ACLU California Action, PolicyLink, National Homelessness Law Center, Power CA Action, Housing is a Human Right, Courage Campaign, and Western Center on Law and Poverty.