Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)

#EOHLC has launched a new Seasonal Communities webpage! ???? The Seasonal Communities designation was created as part of the Affordable Homes Act. It's designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. Stay tuned as we continue to update this webpage.? #AffordableHomesAct #SeasonalCommunities https://lnkd.in/ddddkQEs

Thanks for having us, Needham High! Recently, CHAPA staff presented on housing discrimination and fair housing law at Needham High School’s Conversations on Race class. CHAPA's Municipal Engagement Program Associate, Sade Ratliff, and instructor and psychologist, Beth Pinals seen here.

“The intention of the MBTA Communities law is to increase opportunities for new housing, which will lower costs for us all, and we commend cities and towns who are planning for the future needs of their residents. Forward-looking communities are not only seeking compliance with the law but working hard to seize this opportunity to create and expand vibrant, affordable neighborhoods that meet the needs of their young families, senior citizens, and municipal workforce," said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. Since Monday, town meetings in #Belmont, #Foxborough, #Hopkinton, #ManchesterbytheSea, #Seekonk, #Shirley, #Shrewsbury, #Ashland, #Kingston, #Millis, and #Bellingham approved new multifamily zoning districts. https://lnkd.in/eE5bFDdX

Our next honoree is Monica Keel. Monica currently works at Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) on their Municipal Engagement Program. In this role, Monica supports coalitions in communities throughout Massachusetts as they work to create more affordable housing, by hosting and planning meetings, offering assistance to these coalitions, and facilitating trainings. Monica is also a Facilitator at GenUnity, where she creates space for difficult conversations and meaningful connection. Monica’s dedication to affordable housing, as well as the relationships it takes to get there, is an inspiration, and we can’t wait to recognize Monica at our End of Year Celebration on December 5! Celebrate Monica with us by joining us for our End of Year Celebration (Registration link in comments)! Reminder that deadline to register is TONIGHT 11:59pm EST!

Still beaming after Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) Municipal Engagement Initiative Program was honored last night at the Celebration of Abundance Celebration with the Partner of the Year Award. So glad my colleague Dana LeWinter was there to celebrate with us, MEI is definitely the legacy of years of her amazing foundational work and commitment. We share this award with you :). There is no other amazing team like the one I get to work with everyday. Kudos to each of you Monica Keel , Sade Ratliff, William Rhatigan, and Lily Linke for all the expertise and passion you bring each day and all our colleagues at CHAPA. As Rachel Heller mentioned, we have more collaborative work ahead! Special thank you to the entire Abundant Housing MATeam, Board, and Founding members. What an honor to be acknowledged alongside such esteemed honorees Senator Lydia Edwards, Rep. Jim Arciero, BEN for Franklin, and Norwood for All!

Imagine if we could inspire all sorts of people, from every corner of the nation, to join together to give everyone the opportunity to achieve well-being and thrive! ?? Earlier this year, The Rippel Foundation and TheCaseMade, brought together leaders from across the country help them see their shared stake in building healthier communities, and find others doing the same. For ImpactAlpha, Dr. Tiffany Manuel and Rebecca Payne shared what we learned -- and how we move forward. Our experts in the economy, democracy, and health were confident that solutions to our country’s thorniest problems — the ones that most prevent people from having opportunities to thrive and achieve well-being — exist. And they believe these solutions can be scaled relatively quickly. We believe #casemaking and #stewardship can help us get there. Read more from DrT and Becky at the link in the bio. And hat tip to Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), who gave us a great example to share. ??

"Communities across Massachusetts are overwhelmingly embracing the MBTA Communities Act. They understand that every municipality has a collective responsibility to ensure we are part of fostering a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth," said CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller. https://lnkd.in/gaAKrc2z

CHAPA is hiring! Join our wonderful team and our commitment to ensuring safe, affordable housing for all in Massachusetts! https://lnkd.in/eQgqr2n5

Over 100 Massachusetts communities have now passed zoning districts that comply with the MBTA Communities Law! CHAPA is proud to have supported 45 of these communities through our technical assistance program. Congratulations to the planners, advocates, elected officials, consultants, and everyone who helped make this milestone possible. We look forward to continuing to work across Massachusetts to educate and promote multi-family zoning in MBTA Communities. #mbtacommunity #multifamilyzoning #transitorienteddevelopment

Do you have 4-5 years working as an Executive Assistant or 6-8 years providing progressively complex administrative support to an organization? CHAPA is now hiring for an Executive Assistant! Join the CHAPA team: https://lnkd.in/eb-RFyqy