Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 110 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

'Shared equity' model for U.S. housing boosts home ownership for poorer families

Gregory Scruggs

January 21, 2019 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

A community land trust in North Carolina uses a "shared equity" model to help minority and low income people obtain access to affordable housing. The trust owns the land underneath the house, therefore holding onto the majority of the wealth of the property and allowing homes to be sold below market value.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a Consultant Said He Gamed HUD Inspections: Sweep Problems Behind a Wall

Molly Parker Patrick Johnson

December 21, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Consultants have helped public housing pass safety and health inspections by covering up serious issues with temporary walls and cosmetic fixes. “The biggest reason why most properties don’t pass,” says one consultant, is “they just don’t understand how to play the game with the points.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
Vacant homes don't stand a chance in Lorain

Kevin Barry

November 27, 2018 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Lorain, Ohio

The Lorain Demolition Board slowly chips away at the demolition of blighted homes across the city. With a jumpstart from the mayor, city inspectors have marked more than 350 properties around the town that require demolition, and they're partnering with local banks to fund the renewal of these neighborhoods.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Michigan Cities Face Eviction Crisis — Here Are Some Solutions

Jake Neher

November 12, 2018 |

WDET |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

As Michigan cities struggle with high eviction rates, Cleveland is trying out some creative ways to mitigate the difficult effects of eviction. One effort, mediation between tenants and landlords, might lead to eviction being erased from someone’s record - a huge win. Another program connects social workers to tenants facing eviction. Finally, legal aid advocates support legal representation for anyone facing eviction. It’s a long road ahead, but other cities are definitely learning from Cleveland.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Seattle Is Changing Who Gets A Say At City Hall. Could Austin Learn A Thing Or Two?

Audrey McGlinchy

November 12, 2018 |

KUT |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Getting renters involved in the conversation increases the diversity of voices and opinions in City Hall. In 2016, Seattle created a Renters’ Commission to provide a platform similar to traditional Home Owners’ Associations, where members can have an input and act as advocates for their communities. By having residents involved with the Renters’ Commission, Seattle hopes to rebalance power and involvement in local politics, from a model traditionally dominated disproportionately by homeowners, to one more representative of the city’s actual diversity.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Landlords Are Powerful. Here's A Way Renters Are Regaining Some Control.

Oliver Balch

November 09, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

A growing number of tenant-focused websites are trying to level the power dynamic between shoddy landlords and tenants by giving tenants a voice. “There is a big power mismatch in today’s rental market, but it doesn’t have to be that way.” Amongst those is Rentlogic, which grades 1.1 million apartment buildings, but rather than relying on subjective comments the website provides a grade based on an algorithm.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Tiny houses multiply amid big issues as communities tackle homelessness

Mike Plunkett

October 26, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

Cities around the United States look to tiny homes as a solution to the national homeless crisis. From Kansas City, Mo. to Seattle, Wa., community members and city officials come together to build tiny homes and provide access to a stable community.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a Booming City Can Be More Equitable

Barry Yeoman

October 15, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

Durham, North Carolina works to maintain diversity of communities and perspectives by evaluating the inequities built into their current housing laws and economic opportunities. In redevelopment planning, the city also incorporates artists and activists into planning to ensure the city doesn't lose diversity of culture in its renewal plans.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This Chef Is Fighting Gentrification With Hot Chicken

Deonna Anderson

August 31, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

A chef shows the "absurdity" of gentrification with a creative fundraising campaign. At one of Tunde Wey’s pop-up dinners, he charged $12 for a plate, but charged white people $30, to spark up conversations about racial wealth inequality. His H*t Chicken Sh*t, “a dinner series to end gentrification,” successfully raised $52,000 to go towards residents of North Nashville, “a historically Black neighborhood,” and their affordable housing.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Hey, Can We Talk? Mediation Might Help Reduce Evictions

Andrew Stelzer

August 27, 2018 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

In Madison, Wisconsin, encouraging mediation and dispute-resolution between tenants and landlords has helped to limit evictions and San Francisco is looking to scale the model. Mediation helps build a relationship between the two parties in a dispute to help prevent more serious consequences like evictions and help both tenant and landlord solve problems, but the waiting list is long and the option is not available to everyone. Even then, encouraging the process would save money for all parties involved by limiting legal disputes.

Read More
Go to Original Story