Affordable Housing Initiatives?

[OneGrassRoot]

Anyone aware of groups/companies/organizations currently working on affordable housing directly, rather than through legislative means alone?

I found the following organization and can't tell how good of a program this really ends up being for low-income persons, on a practical basis. At first and second glance, however, it seems like a step in the right direction. They're focused on one specific region, however.

http://www.commonbond.org/

I'm trying to find groups working to convert existing empty strip malls and other buildings into affordable housing. I've found a few articles where people talked about converting these buildings into many things, but not affordable housing.

Thanks in advance for any information you may have or can direct me to.

:hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Kick, and linking to two related posts at DU right now.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8260778#8270275


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8269902

[Tsiyu]

2. Very good questions

Kicking, since I don't have the answers but perhaps someone else will


:kick:

[mopinko]

3. many in chicago

sorry i don't have time to link you up with some. but this is a major issue here. there are tools in the zoning laws, including making a certain percentage (10%?) of appts in any development "afforable". plus variances that are gotten as a trade off for over and above.
google chicago and affordable housing. check out the city of chicago web page, also. it is very deep, and not perfectly navigable, so you might need to dig around.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Thanks very much!

:hi:

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. Here's one in CT

http://hopepartnership-oldsaybrook.org/

I think there is another one lead by a church in North Haven CT

Here it is
http://www.stjohns-northhaven.org/outreach-ministries.asp

Its a coalition of several churches

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

6. In my town, there is a similar project being considered by the

Planning & Zoning Commission. Not sure if affordable housing is part of it, but there is an old strip mall that they want to convert to apartments.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Very cool. Thanks so much. :) n/t