Let's Reimagine Housing

Honestly, I thought I was walking into another typical housing fair. I love going through tables, collecting things (free pens), and talking to community members. But today, the Columbus Infrastructure, Housing, and Tech Summit was much more than I could have imagined put on by The National Center for Urban Solutions - NCUS . I'm talking about a packed room and 3D-printed homes. Please forget about the refreshments. This was serious

.

Three months ago, Pamela Gregory was at a similar summit in New Albany, but few people there looked like her. At today's summit, we had the privilege of having Matt Barnes from WCMH-TV, NBC4, nbc4i.com as a moderator. The panelists included Michele Reynolds , Ohio State senator; Joy Bivens , Deputy County Administrator and also the honorary Chair of this year's Women's Wellness Day (June 20th); Mr. John H. Gregory , CEO of the National Center for Urban Solutions and Founder of NCUS Tec; Brian Haemmerle , Assistant Administrator Division of Water for the City of Columbus, and John Stevens of Asterra.

Michelle Reynolds represents District 3, one of Ohio's urban districts. Her community advocacy started years ago, and she describes her passion as "doing what you love to fight what you hate." Under her leadership, she grew a 15-bed housing rehabilitation center for incarcerated men to a place that now serves 120 people per day, totaling over 5,000 formerly incarcerated men. Housing is her passion.

John Gregory kept it real throughout the night. He told us to relax. He said we need to get back to screaming and standing up for our rights. You only have to listen to him briefly to see that he's solution-oriented and here for his people. His energy is contagious.

Joy Bivens also spoke her truth, and hearing her in person for the first time was a pleasure. She was funny, passionate, and had the data to back up her work.

The panel reemphasizes that it's not that there aren't homes; there are no affordable homes. People's pay is not beating the rate of inflation. Another problem is that Affordable housing has a bad reputation, but we all know "that homes are where jobs go at night. I remember hearing that for the first time during my fellowship at the YWCA Columbus , another community partner in the affordable housing crisis. "The real issue here is that we need "workforce housing." We need homes to house all the people, helping stimulate Columbus's economy. Affordable housing is not just a black problem; poverty is not a black problem; it's a humanitarian problem.

John Gregory pointed out that this isn't the first time we've seen these trends. My people have been being pushed out, and you see it when you go to places like San Francisco and Austin. So, with Intel coming in, how will we fulfill 30,000 jobs? How do we get people to those jobs? "Is it technology, or is it partnerships?"

Brian Hammerly was present to discuss replacing water lines and mains that had been causing water loss for years. John Gregory quickly highlighted that these issues had been neglected for a long time. However, with the new influx of residents speaking up and pushing for change, these problems are finally being addressed. Since moving to Columbus in 2008, the changes to campus and the near east side have made it almost unrecognizable.

During the housing summit, it was said that you cannot apply a program to a crisis; you must use a practice. We can no longer let policies continue to hold people back. The government does not create the social determinants of health; they were made by systemic racism, and the data is in. 60% of those receiving services such as food assistance are seniors and children.

The panel acknowledged that while the government can solve problems, it can also create them. Michelle Reynolds emphasized that the government should know when to stay in its lane, but we must also hold it accountable regarding issues such as zoning. Reynolds argued for flexibility, proposing a big idea: to innovate how we help people achieve their dream of home ownership. Her idea is something like this: if you can only afford a $150,000 home, we introduce co-equity (we know you can't get a decent house in Columbus for that amount). However, she suggested that all of these third parties coming in and buying up all the houses, making them no longer affordable, should only be allowed to buy if they partner with these new homeowners. Reynolds emphasized having a growth mindset rather than replicating the development of cities like Chicago.

John Gregory emphasized investing in workforce development and technology. He pointed out the beauty of getting a credential, saying that a 12-week, 12-month program could start you at $30.00 an hour. NCUS is also the only black company in America that Amazon has partnered with that allows it to certify its employees. You can also get certified as a Google Specialist Sallie Mae loan and debt-free. These are not four-year degrees. These are credentials and certificates that put you directly into the workforce.

Places like Phoenix and Austin have invested in technology much quicker than in the Midwest West. There are driverless cars and robots everywhere. So here in Columbus, who will take those jobs if we don't have the workforce to work those jobs?

Mrs. Bivens highlighted the benefits of utilizing predictive analytics. She stated that if we can predict the number of future inmates to build a prison, we should also be able to indicate the number of houses we will require. As Columbus and Franklin County grow, it's crucial to tackle the wealth gap. Columbus ranks fifth in this regard. Although we're aware that education is directly proportional to income, the question is, why wait? We can start early and invest in education at NCUS Tec and Urban Scholars to help bridge this gap. This goal is achievable thanks to partners like Job and Family Services and other partnerships.

I know you will see me smiling in many of the pictures from today's housing summit, but I also cried a lot. I cried for my people who won't be able to pay their property taxes in a few years. I cried for all the single mothers on the verge of eviction because they don't make enough to keep up with inflation. I cried for the dads who were out there and hadn't found places like NCUS TEC .Click here to find out more info.

I don't just write about this. I'm living this. I know that my job as a caseworker won't be able to pay my bills, and having a second job isn't ideal, but I'll do whatever it takes to take care of my family, which is why I had to become an entrepreneur. My financial firm, Wealthcare Services, is more than just financial literacy. It's about economic freedom. As a community connector, I'll do whatever it takes to help change the landscape in Columbus, OH, for future generations. I hope to reach more places one day, but for now, I'm saying yes right here in my backyard.