Week of Nov. 20, 2023

Memphis Is Shrinking. Here’s Why We Need to Change That.

Matthew Bellow, Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority

Memphis is struggling with a dwindling population, driven in part by a high crime rate and disinvestment in low-income areas of the city. What are local organizations doing to turn this around? Read Full Article

Under the Lens | LIHTC: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Complicated?

LIHTC: How It Started, How It’s Going

Miriam Axel-Lute, Shelterforce

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit was created in a moment when other real estate tax preferences were going away—but at the time, no one expected it to grow into the main source of affordable housing finance in the country.

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How Are LIHTC Rules Enforced—And How Well?

Shelby R. King, Shelterforce

LIHTC developers must follow strict affordability rules—and fulfill other promises—for at least 30 years. While industry insiders insist compliance rates are high, tenant advocates say noncompliance is a real problem. Read More or Listen

In Case You Missed It

• How Organizers in Rio’s Favelas Are Harnessing Solar Energy
• How It’s Working: Laws That Help Tenants and Nonprofits Buy Buildings ?
• Corporate Landlords Profit from Segregation, at Cost of Black Homeownership and Wealth

Looking for a Job? Scroll down

Events

Shelterforce : Meet Me at the Punchbowl?| Thursday, Dec. 7, 4 –5:30 p.m. EST | Online | We are excited to host our annual virtual community gathering featuring Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, a dedicated housing advocate known for stirring “good trouble.” Join us for an evening filled with games, networking, and thought-provoking discussions on the current state of housing justice. Don't miss out— register today .

Support Shelterforce this season and amplify your impact by giving to our year-end campaign today! Our generous partners at NewsMatch will match every donation, up to $1,000. Double the impact of your support and help us continue our vital work in the community. Give to make a difference for our housing justice community today!?

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You Said It!

On “Western States Look to These Lands for New Affordable Housing ”

Ward 3 Housing Justice: Just a friendly?reminder that the term 'workforce housing' frequently means those (whiter) residents at the higher end of the affordable housing spectrum, and not the hardworking (Blacker & Browner) workers who toil for low wages. Via Twitter

On “Corporate Landlords Profit from Segregation, at Cost of Black Homeownership and Wealth ”

PRG, Inc.: Corporate ownership of single family homes is severely impacting our collective ability to the racial homeownership/wealth disparity. All ideas are welcome! Via Facebook

Michael Bodaken: Terrific analysis. I’m sure you are aware, but the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has developed a geospatial mapping tool that identifies neighborhoods most vulnerable to corporate investment in single-family homes. View More

Andy Heidt: Rent control is needed to mitigate the profits of this cruel system. Incentive programs for housing restoration, landlord mitigation and other possible benefits should only go to locally owned homes/landlords to dampen the speculative frenzy of this greedy dynamic. View More

On “What’s an Accessory Dwelling Unit? ”

Abundant Housing Massachusetts: ADUs also known as granny flats or in-law apts. are small residential homes that can be within, attached to, or detached from a larger home. They are more affordable than traditional single-family homes. This video from @shelterforce provides a great intro. Via Twitter

On “A COVID Upside: It Pushed Organizations to Do Better ”

Catherine Campbell: Nice article about SMDC and their work with residents during and after COVID. Via LinkedIn

On “Helping Tenants with Mental Health Challenges Who Are at Risk of Eviction ”

Eviction Lab: Eviction and mental health issues can be intertwined. @shelterforce explains how difficult it is to address these challenges. Via Twitter

On “Integrating Whitman ”

Lynda Rubin: I love this kind of history - putting the story behind historical times, and places, et al. Also, tho not from S.Phila. I became a counselor at DN Fell School at 9th & Oregon in 1976 & loved it. I remember Whitman Park not far from Fell. Knew some of the tensions, but not the whole story. Via Twitter

On “Blame Zoning, Not Public Transportation, for Displacement ”

twf: The idea that people want to live in density is a myth. Most people prefer a little space without having to travel to a greenbelt to see a tree. Walking radius to shops is only good only for those who are satisfied with the few shops and services that are in walking distance . . . Read More

Jobs

Executive Director, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Ithaca, NY ● Our ideal candidate for Executive Director is a strong and experienced leader who is motivated to direct INHS in its next phase of growth and stability. They will enthusiastically embrace this opportunity to make an impact in our region and will demonstrate leadership for growth . . . Read Full Listing

Technical Assistance, Associate Director, Center for Community Progress, Hybrid or Remote ● Center for Community Progress is hiring two Associate Directors to support and lead small project teams in technical assistance engagements with local governments and land banks across the country. These teams will help cities with effective policies and solutions to address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties . . . Read Full Listing

Manager, Equitable Evaluation, NeighborWorks America, Washington, DC ● The Manager, Equitable Evaluation plays several key roles in Success Measures’ portfolio of evaluation and learning strategy services for philanthropic clients and their grantees who are addressing housing, health and racial equity through innovative programs . . . Read Full Listing

Chief Executive Officer, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, Oakland, CA ●?Working in close partnership with the staff, the Board of Directors and external partners, the CEO will catalyze and advance EBALDC’s vital place-based contributions to the East Bay comprehensive community development ecosystem in underserved BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) communities . . . Read Full Listing

More Jobs

President and Chief Executive Officer, New York City, NY ●Comunilife?

Loan Fund Coordinator, New York City, NY ● New Economy Project

Executive Director, Remote, NC?● WakeUP Wake County

Education and Outreach Manager, Remote ● Center for CLT Innovation

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