As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of finding affordable housing, I know all too well how difficult it can be to create a stable, thriving community in the face of rising costs and limited resources. But I also believe that with the right initiatives and a little bit of elbow grease, we can empower our neighborhoods to become more resilient in the face of the growing threats posed by climate change and other environmental challenges.
That’s why I’m excited to share with you the story of how one affordable housing solutions organization, HACC Housing, is working to foster community resilience through their innovative affordable housing initiatives.
Addressing the Climate Crisis at the Neighborhood Level
In recent years, we’ve seen the devastating impacts of climate change play out in communities across the country – from wildfires and extreme heat waves to devastating floods and severe storms. And as these climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense, the communities that are often hit the hardest are the same ones that are already struggling with limited resources and access to affordable housing.
But the good news is that there are organizations like HACC Housing that are stepping up to address this challenge head-on. Take, for example, the story of the Ceres Community Project in Sonoma County, California. This community was devastated by wildfires in 2017, 2019, and 2020, leaving many residents without a safe, affordable place to call home.
According to Cathryn Couch, the CEO of the Ceres Community Project, the organization’s new Community Resilience Center in southwest Santa Rosa “will enable us to provide year-round preparedness and resilience support for one of the most vibrant yet underserved neighborhoods in the county.”
By investing in these types of community-driven initiatives, HACC Housing and other affordable housing organizations are helping to empower local communities to become more resilient in the face of climate-related disasters. And as Governor Gavin Newsom put it, these community resilience centers will serve as “beacons of hope” for neighborhoods on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Fostering Community Empowerment and Engagement
But it’s not just about building physical infrastructure – it’s also about fostering a sense of community empowerment and engagement. After all, the most effective solutions to the challenges facing our communities often come from the people who know them best.
That’s why HACC Housing has made a concerted effort to work closely with local residents and community organizations to develop affordable housing initiatives that are tailored to the unique needs and priorities of each neighborhood.
Take, for example, the Roseland Community Resilience Hub in southwest Santa Rosa. This project, which is being led by the California Parenting Institute, is not just about building affordable housing units – it’s also about creating a hub for community engagement and empowerment.
“This intentional space will not only provide shelter and resources during climate and other emergencies,” explains Jim Mangia, the President and CEO of St. John’s Community Health, “but it will also foster community empowerment offering a comprehensive array of programs and services informed by and for the local community.”
By involving community members in every step of the process, from planning to implementation, HACC Housing is helping to ensure that these affordable housing initiatives are truly responsive to the needs and priorities of the people they serve. And that, in turn, helps to build a greater sense of ownership and investment in the success of these projects.
Creating a Thriving, Sustainable Community
Of course, affordable housing is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to building resilient, thriving communities. That’s why HACC Housing has also been working to incorporate other key elements, such as access to green spaces, sustainable energy sources, and community-based services and resources.
Take, for example, the Banning Armory Community Resilience Center Project in California. This initiative, which received a $107,062,000 award from the state, is not just about building affordable housing units – it’s also about creating a hub for community resources and services, such as a community garden, a renewable energy center, and a childcare facility.
Similarly, the Development from Destruction: Creating South Stockton Community Resiliency project, led by the Little Manila Rising organization, is using a $192,647,800 grant to transform a previously abandoned industrial site into a thriving, sustainable community hub that includes affordable housing, urban agriculture, and community-based services.
By taking a holistic, community-driven approach to affordable housing, HACC Housing and other organizations are helping to create the kind of vibrant, resilient communities that we all deserve. And as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, these initiatives will be more important than ever in helping our neighborhoods weather the storms and emerge stronger and more connected than ever before.
Investing in the Future of Our Communities
Of course, none of this would be possible without the kind of significant investment and support that organizations like HACC Housing have been able to secure. According to the California Strategic Growth Council, the state has committed $936 million to help build these community resilience centers in neighborhoods that have been hit hardest by the impacts of climate change.
And the impact of this investment is already being felt in communities across the state. As Serrell Smokey, the Tribal Chairman of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, put it, “Establishing the huŋŋuliti tÃba kÃŋa Resiliency Operations Center will allow the Washoe Tribe to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for our tribal community.”
But it’s not just about the physical infrastructure – it’s also about the sense of empowerment and community that these initiatives are helping to foster. As the team at the George Washington University Center for Community Resilience has found, when communities are actively engaged in the process of building and shaping their own resilience, they are more likely to experience positive outcomes in terms of health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
And that’s exactly what HACC Housing and other affordable housing organizations are working to achieve. By investing in community-driven initiatives that prioritize affordable housing, sustainable infrastructure, and community engagement, they are helping to create the kind of resilient, thriving neighborhoods that can weather any storm and emerge stronger than ever before.
So if you’re looking for a way to make a real difference in your community, I encourage you to check out the work of HACC Housing and other organizations like them. Because when we come together to invest in our neighborhoods and empower our communities, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.