Assignment
I. Select a Texas highway expansion project or neighborhood to advance equitable and sustainable housing.
Sample list of neighborhoods and highway expansion projects:
i. Emancipation Park
ii. East End
iii. Rice University
iv. Independent Heights
v. Heights
vi. East Downtown (EaDo)
vii. Third Ward
viii. Fourth Ward
ix. Fifth Ward
x. LGBTQ+ retirement community
xi. Military/veteran housing (How could a developer improve military/veteran housing conditions?)
II. Draft a modified community benefits agreement (CBA) outline for your selected project.
III. Background on Selected Neighborhood: What project did you select? Why?
Example - Independence Heights was the first city incorporated by African Americans in the State of Texas. The community was established in the early 1900s when the Wright Land Company developed the area and sold land to African Americans. In 1959, the construction of the 610 Loop removed approximately 250 homes from the historic community. (Independence Heights is situated north of Loop 610 and west of I-45.)
IV. Overview of the Problem: How has or will development alter the equitable and cultural sustainability of the neighborhood? What problems do you need to address first? How will you address them? What are the community priorities? Possible priorities: segregated schools, rise in property taxes, development scams to purchase homes below value, the disappearance of cultural norms, cost of rent increase to small businesses, etc. Have there been benefits to new development? Possible benefits: improved quality of schools, better street maintenance, the enforcement of city ordinances, etc. Use data points and quotes to support your argument.
V. Name Your Coalition: Based on your selected neighborhood, what specific organizations or individuals do you need to partner with? Why? For example religious institutions, community leaders or advocates, businesses, homeowner associations, civic clubs, city council members, community organizations, local gangs or homegrown groups, etc.
VI. Political Influence: How has politics impacted housing in Houston or the state of Texas? How have current and past housing policies created barriers to obtaining equitable housing? Who benefits from those policies? Redistricting? Schools? Transportation? Access to resources? Lobbyists? Interest groups? What will be the political impact of your CBA? Will you receive backlash from opponents?
VII. List 2 Contributions that the Developer Can Provide to the Community: Based on the needs of the neighborhood, detail 2 ways a developer can contribute to the community. What benefits can they provide to the neighborhood? Examples: new jobs, training, in-kind resources, new school or community construction, donating a percentage of revenue back to the community, mentoring or apprenticeship programs, green projects, etc. What will be mutually beneficial to the developer/investor and the community? 2-3 bullet points
VIII. List 2 Contributions that the Neighborhood Coalition Can Provide to the Developer: How will the neighborhood coalition assist the developer? Examples: Assist in recruiting candidates for jobs, writing letters of support to city council members or zoning officials, counteracting negative actions from residents, etc. 2-3 bullet points
IX. Implementation: How will the CBA be implemented? What hurdles do you anticipate? How will you overcome them? How will you galvanize support?
X. Evaluation: Describe two measurable outcomes that you will use to determine success? How will you maintain the cultural significance of the neighborhood with an increase in diversity? What short and long-term changes are needed right now? How will you evaluate your CBA to determine if it was effective? How long will it take for your CBA to become mutually beneficial (1-3 years)? What challenges do you anticipate?