Urban Sites’ Post

An accountant, a nun and a resettlement co-ordinator walked into a convent. But the saga of The Mount Community Centre is no joke. Its new board members recognized in 2013 that they needed to quickly generate income in order to pay back some of the debt to acquire the property. With finances top of mind, Steve turned to a trusted friend and retired accountant Bob Fisher. When the new Mount board talked about who else should be at their table, Lois suggested bringing one of the Sisters of St. Joseph aboard. After all, they shared an entranceway and a mission of social justice. It made sense, she argued, to have the previous stewards of the property in on the discussions of next steps. That led to Sister Joan Driscoll coming aboard. Shortly afterward, Michael VanDerHerberg, a landlord who worked as the Refugee Resettlement Coordinator at the New Canadians Centre, also joined the leadership team. Finances were so tight that board members agreed to rotate who would bring dinner to the 5 p.m. Tuesday meetings. Michael delivered trays from his wife Andrea’s Silver Bean Cafe while others provided meals in their own way. The project needed hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, grants and loans to keep pace as renovation costs kept rising due to delays. Right from the start, The Mount’s founders had agreed to only proceed with construction when they had money for it in the bank; that meant putting off certain work or building in mini phases in each wing. While the tradesmen working on the new apartments would be flexible about rescheduling their crews, money had to keep flowing to pay the bills for heat, electricity, water and insurance. How long could this small group pay the bills to upkeep the property, let alone invest millions to renovate it? That became the multi-million dollar question. https://buff.ly/3B0YFV3 #affordablehousing #housing #inspiration #believetoachieve #crazyasseddreamers #seizeopportunity #miracles

Yesterday I heard a story about the accomodation given to a single female asylum seeker. One where a living room with a bay window has been split into 3 tiny bedrooms each not much bigger than the single bed within it. I commented ‘So the window is split into three parts?’ The answer came back. ‘No it is split the other way. She is lucky. She has the bay window. The other two rooms have no window.’ I have often heard the saying ‘beggars can’t be choosers.’ And we are of course in the middle of an economic crisis. But even if you think this is an acceptable way to treat people, those rooms do not save the tax payers purse. They are run for maximum profit by landlords and vast corporations. Prices are high. Standards are low and everyone suffers except a few people at the top of the chain. Welcome Home has been set up to provide the best standard of accomodation possible to the people who need it most at the best prices possible to the council who pay for it whilst being able to give a sensible return to investors who fund it. Not only did we not split up our sitting room. We put comfy sofas, a table and chairs with books and toys to play with in it. We hope by providing a home to mums with NRPF and their children we can help to rewrite the narrative from one of genererational dependence to flourishing futures. This is a pilot and we intend to show people it us possible to change the story. If you would like to know more. Please do get in touch. https://lnkd.in/exaFUugb #welcomehomeproject #temporaryaccomodation #emergencyaccomodation #NRPFaccomodation

HOA fees cover the costs of maintaining common areas, landscaping, security, and other community amenities. That should go into your monthly budget to avoid financial surprises if you live in a Florida community. You can request and review the HOA's financial statements to understand how fees are allocated. Tips for Managing HOA Fees: Stay Informed: Attend HOA meetings and review community newsletters to stay informed about financial decisions and potential fee increases. Get Involved: Consider volunteering for the HOA board to participate in financial decisions. Challenge Unnecessary Expenses: If you believe an expense is unnecessary or excessive, voice your concerns at HOA meetings or in writing. Communicate with Neighbors: Work with other homeowners to identify potential cost-saving measures. Explore Alternative Funding Sources: Consider fundraising events or special assessments for large projects. #ProCraftBuilders #HomeBuilding #HomeBuilder #Community #HOA #Florida #Homeowners

🌱 Grounded’s 2024 Annual Report is Here! 🌱 We’re excited to share our journey from the past year—one filled with advocacy, innovation, and community building. This report isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the impact we’re making together. Our second year has been all about deepening community engagement as we work tirelessly to get a Community Land Trust (CLT) off the ground. We know the challenges can seem daunting—from land access and project credit to resident finance and government support—but we’re here to streamline the process. 🌱 Key Highlights: • Innovative R&D: Karl Fitzgerald has been leading the charge in developing financial models that offer significant savings over the lifetime of CLT projects, ensuring perpetual affordability for residents. We’ll be sharing these insights soon! • Land Access: Securing land donations is crucial, and we’ve been inspired by the landowners stepping forward to support our mission. • Government Advocacy: We made ten impactful submissions this year, including presentations at the Build to Rent and Help to Buy Inquiries, bringing CLTs into the spotlight. Join us as we reflect on our progress and look ahead to a future where affordable, sustainable housing is a reality for all. 📚✨ 📥 Download the full report and see how you can be part of the movement https://lnkd.in/gjWhWW2c #CommunityLandTrust #Advocacy #AffordableHousing

Did you know that a staggering 37% of homeless individuals in Australia are under the age of 25? That's 46,000 young people who lack the stability and security that most of us take for granted. Our flagship home building program, the Haven Project, is on a mission to build 300 bedrooms for homeless youth by 2025. But to achieve this goal, we rely on generous support from the community and the industry. Every $1 of your donation will be matched by an equivalent $1 donation of labor, skills, or goods from the property and construction industry. This means that your support goes TWICE as far to help homeless youth and provide more homes. Donate>> https://lnkd.in/effhwnPH Please consider making a tax-deductible donation before June 30th to support this critical initiative. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of young Australians who are experiencing homelessness. Thank you for your generosity! 🏠💙 #SupportHomelessYouth #HavenProject #DoubleYourImpact #propertyindustryfoundation #buildinghomes #forhomelessyouth #homeless #youth #charity

🏢➡️🏡Can vacant office buildings REALLY help solve the housing shortage? This piece from my The Pew Charitable Trusts colleague Elizabeth Gray looks at the ideas states are trying--tax credits, grants, and zoning reforms--to convert office to residential and advises policymakers keep these four key principles in mind: 1. Set clear goals. 2. Evaluate programs for effectiveness. 3. Build in fiscal protections to keep programs affordable. 4. Consider including non-financial incentives. https://lnkd.in/eETEm_6p #housing #affordablehousing #officetoresidential #officeconversions #realestate #downtowns

Funding Improvements in Community Schemes: How it Works When it comes to making essential upgrades in community schemes—like high-quality garage door replacements or common area renovations—strategic funding is crucial. But how do trustees and body corporates ensure these improvements are well-funded without straining the budget?  Here’s how it’s typically done: ➡️ Reserve Funds: Many community schemes have reserve funds specifically set aside for future maintenance and improvements. Trustees carefully manage these funds to ensure that essential upgrades, such as garage doors, are covered without impacting the overall financial health of the scheme. ➡️ Special Levies: If reserve funds aren’t enough, trustees may propose raising special levies, where all owners contribute towards the cost of the improvement. This method ensures that necessary upgrades can happen even when the budget is tight. ➡️ Annual Budget Approval: Larger projects may need approval at the AGM, where trustees present proposals for necessary upgrades, and owners vote on the best course of action. Strategic planning ensures that all improvements benefit the entire community while maintaining financial sustainability. Maintaining and improving property standards doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right financial planning and proactive trustees, community schemes can stay ahead of maintenance needs without putting a strain on owners. Want to know how we can assist your community scheme in managing improvements efficiently?  Contact us 📞 (087) 803-0577 ✉️ info@neotrend.co.za #NeotrendRealEstate #PropertyManagementtips #SectionalTitle #HomeMaintenance #RealEstateTipsoftheday #CommunityLiving #ExclusiveUse #SectionalTitleLiving #SectionalTitleLivinginSouthAfrica #CommunityDevelopment

Meeting immediate need with Individual Grants Longleigh Foundation continues to provide support that offers a lifeline to individuals facing challenging times.  Our Individual Grants, exclusively available for residents in Stonewater homes or housing schemes, have seen a significant increase in approved applications. In 2022/2023, we approved 746 applications, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. As the cost-of-living crisis impacts people who are already struggling, we've received more requests for essentials such as food and utility vouchers. To address this, we have allocated more funds to Individual Grants, understanding that getting help elsewhere is become harder. Our CEO, Aileen Edmunds shares: "Our Individual Grants put resources directly into the hands of those in need. They are designed to meet immediate issues in the short-term and play a vital role in preventing crisis situations from escalating - giving people a chance to rebuild." Find out more about our Individual Grants and the important work we do at Longleigh by visiting our website at: https://lnkd.in/ediJrAk6

Longleigh's Impact: Meet Sharon*, a 52-year-old woman referred to Longleigh by our Circles of Support partner, Cleanslate. Sharon was experiencing significant challenges due to anxiety and depression, which were worsened by financial strain. With two daughters depending on her, including one who was pregnant, Sharon found herself struggling to afford some of life's basic necessities like food and energy bills. Unable to work and awaiting her Universal Credit award, her situation became increasingly pressured. Having met our criteria, Sharon was awarded a Hardship Grant of £960. This grant covered 8 weeks of food and energy vouchers, providing her and her daughters with the necessary essentials during a difficult period. Receiving the good news that her grant had been approved, Sharon felt an immediate sense of relief as she expressed her gratitude for the quick turnaround time and the grant's immediate impact on her ability to put food on the table and heat her home. Sharon shared: "I found out about your services through my sister who is a tenant of Stonewater. The services Longleigh offered were amazing. The grant helped me get on my feet and out of trouble with fuel bills and groceries until my Universal Credit was sorted. I am very grateful for all your help in my time of need. Going forward – I will be able to pay my bills and be able to eat and keep warm thanks to Longleigh Foundation for the grant and also to Cleanslate for their help and assistance." Longleigh's Hardship Grants play a crucial role in providing timely financial assistance and stability during difficult periods. By connecting residents to our support partners, such as Cleanslate, we help more individuals feel optimistic about their future, which in turn helps us fulfill our mission of offering support where it's needed most. *Names have been changed and stock images are used to protect identities. #grantmaking #grantmakers #forimpact #communityimpact

National Right to Housing... your gift today will have double the impact in: -Strengthening tenant protections (like rent control) -Amplifying the voices of marginalized communities -Ensuring governments build not just housing –but affordable housing -Holding government accountable for their obligation to treat housing as a fundamental human right for all