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Federal program to aid low-income areas ready for local investors

Brian Edwards

September 07, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

Since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed, investors, community leaders, and local governments have been talking about Opportunity Zones. These are low-income areas in each state--Alabama has 150--that will incentivize investor spending by providing tax breaks for longer-term investment in areas typically not on the highest priority list for traditional investors. Montgomery, Alabama is seeking input from local groups on where funding can best be spent. Though the opportunity zones legislation is in its early days, many are excited about the potential to stimulate economic growth.

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Meet the Indigenous Women Keeping Native Businesses Close to Home

Sydney Worth

August 21, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Flagstaff, Arizona

NABIN, or the Native American Business Incubator Network, is a creative program intended to address the unique business challenges and opportunities faced by Native Americans. Since 2012, the organization has helped Native American entrepreneurs with marketing, startup skills, and the basic knowledge to succeed in business. From the #IAmTheNavajoEconomy hashtag to connecting aspiring entrepreneurs to microloans, NABIN is providing a much-needed service.

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A New Deal for Refugees

Tina Rosenberg

August 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Uganda

After hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees fled to Europe in 2015, wealthy European countries became more invested in fixing a broken immigration system, something which had traditionally fallen on poorer countries. Now, more countries are trying to integrate refugees into society, rather than keeping them separated from society in camps. Can countries like Uganda and Jordan who’ve attempted refugee resettlement provide an example for the rest of the world?

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A Divided Neighborhood Comes Together under an Elevated Expressway

Katy Reckdahl

August 20, 2018 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Community organizing may be the key to a comeback along New Orleans’ Claiborne Avenue. Once home to a booming block of African American-owned businesses, many left once a new expressway demolished the street in the 1960s. Now, community input is essential in rebuilding. A new master plan included 11 meetings with residents to share their priorities. The painted murals, live jazz performances, and local gatherings still happening show that the Claiborne Corridor will remain home to its long-time residents, even in a new format.

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Rohingya turn to blockchain to solve identity crisis

Skot Thayer Alex Hern

August 20, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Malaysia

Blockchain can be used to create digital identities for people who have lost legal documents or been denied citizenship. The technology is helping Rohingya in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia gain access to banking and educational opportunities.

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America's Real Estate System Pushes Rents Up And People Out. There's Another Way.

Jarrid Green

August 20, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

In Oakland, a community land trust helped Hasta Muerte, a local cafe, avoid eviction. All over the country, community land trusts are helping communities of color keep their affordable housing.

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How these Portland residents got to own a piece of their neighborhood

Oscar Perry Abello

August 14, 2018 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

A unique financial set up in Portland has led to the creation of the East Portland Community Investment Trust, in which residents in four local zip codes can invest small amounts of money into local projects, specifically shares of a shopping center. To invest, community members need to take a short financial literacy class. So far, the average investment is just $80, but that still pays annual dividends that are meaningful to its investors.

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A cheaper way to ease Seattle's homeless crisis? Pierce County sees promising results

Vianna Davila

August 12, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tacoma, Washington

In Washington State's Pierce County, homeless services employees have been helping people on the housing waiting list by using "diversion," to "connect clients to one-time financial help, instead of a prolonged subsidy, to secure housing." The two-year pilot program found that 50% of people who opted into diversion found permanent housing, 15% more than those who were directed to emergency shelters. While the diversion strategy is not a fix for systemic issues that keep people from securing housing, it is an approach that is both useful and cost-saving.

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Financial Empowerment Centers Help City Residents Improve Their Fiscal Health

Oscar Perry Abello

August 06, 2018 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Financial Empowerment Centers work with clients to help them build savings, improve credit scores, and take full advance of assistance programs. While the daily demands of poverty often create an inability to plan for the future, the Center's clients have found that counseling has provided a path to engage with these issues and a trusted helper to improve their financial health.

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Carbondale market study to inform the future of artist live-work spaces

Carla Jean Whitley

August 02, 2018 |

Glenwood Springs Post Independent |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Carbondale, Colorado

Carbondale is one of several Colorado towns that is focusing on preserving affordability for local artists. Since a different town was selected for a state-run program called Space to Create, Carbondale had to get more creative. The town is now working with a consulting group called Artspace that specializes in affordable housing for artists. Though the project is still in the early stages, they have already conducted a feasibility study and have clear plans in place to the development of affordable housing sites.

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