Karen Black

Public Policy Blind Spots Are Putting Condominiums as a Housing Model – And Their Owners – At Risk

Condominiums play an important role in providing affordable homeownership to first time homeowners and retirees. Fifty years after condominiums became a popular housing model, policy makers are encouraging more condominium construction to provide needed affordable housing and entryways into homeownership. But several inherent weaknesses in the condominium model must be addressed to provide affordable and … Continue reading Public Policy Blind Spots Are Putting Condominiums as a Housing Model – And Their Owners – At Risk

The Kensington Corridor Trust:  The First Four Years

This City Case explores the first four years of the Kensington Corridor Trust (KCT), a neighborhood trust started in 2019 with the mission to acquire and redevelop real estate on Kensington Avenue, a disinvested commercial corridor in a low-income Philadelphia neighborhood and place it into long-term community control to preserve affordability while building neighborhood power … Continue reading The Kensington Corridor Trust:  The First Four Years

Tennessee Preemption Law Reversed

May 8 has had the extraordinary opportunity to work with the City of Chattanooga’s Chief Housing Officer Nicole Heyman since 2022 to create the city’s first comprehensive policy, program and funding framework to address its affordable housing challenges.  Chattanooga is making extraordinary progress understanding and responding to its sizable housing deficit.  Yet Tennessee state law … Continue reading Tennessee Preemption Law Reversed

Evaluating the Impact of Critical Home Repairs on the Wealth and Financial Well-Being of Low-Income Black Homeowners in Richmond Virginia:  A Mixed Methods Study

This study seeks to determine the causal effect that critical home repairs have on the preservation of Black wealth in neighborhoods vulnerable to displacement.  May 8 is working with the Partnership for Housing Affordability in Richmond Virginia with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Utilizing data obtained from surveys conducted among low-income Black households … Continue reading Evaluating the Impact of Critical Home Repairs on the Wealth and Financial Well-Being of Low-Income Black Homeowners in Richmond Virginia:  A Mixed Methods Study

Equitable Development Platform Released

May 8 is proud to partner with PACDC on a new Equitable Development Policy Platform that is founded on the truth that we all deserve a city in which affordable housing, work that pays a living wage, and safe neighborhoods are attainable for every resident.

Philadelphia Equitable Development Platform 2023

PACDC’s Equitable Development Policy Platform offers 22 recommendations to lay the foundation for a thriving and inclusive future for Philadelphia that benefits all communities, all residents and all workers. Over 100 community leaders and residents were interviewed to identify 22 recommendations that fall into six categories: Quality of Life, Inclusive Communities, Anti-Displacement, Housing, Economic Development … Continue reading Philadelphia Equitable Development Platform 2023