Event Description
In response to persistent and worsening housing affordability, the idea of “social housing” has been gaining momentum across the US. While the details differ, most proposals and initiatives would permanently keep housing off the private market; expand the public sector’s role in financing, developing, and/or managing projects; emphasize broad inclusion by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; and give residents more control over their homes and communities.
While the movement represents a push for new ways to supply affordable homes, it inevitably will draw on existing institutions as well as current legal, policy, and financial frameworks. This is particularly true in New England, which has a well-established affordable housing ecosystem that includes high-performing public housing authorities, thriving community land trusts, a rich network of community development corporations, and innovative state housing agencies.
Practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and researchers will describe both existing models of social housing in New England and new efforts to design, fund, build, and manage accessible, diverse, and sustainable housing. Speakers will discuss the strengths and limitations of different approaches and explore the interplay between architecture, policy, finance, construction, and community development.
Agenda
1:00 pm Welcome and Overview
Chris Herbert, Managing Director, Joint Center for Housing Studies
Susanne Schindler, Research Fellow, Joint Center for Housing Studies
1:15 pm Keynote: Why Social Housing?
The Hon. Mike Connolly, Massachusetts State Representative, 26th Middlesex District
1:30 pm Panel 1: Enabling Public Development
Kenzie Bok, Administrator, Boston Housing Authority
Margaret Donnelly Moran, Deputy Director of Development, Cambridge Housing Authority
Deborah Goddard, Secretary, Rhode Island Department of Housing
Susanne Schindler, Research Fellow, Joint Center for Housing Studies (moderator)
2:30 pm Break
2:45 pm Panel 2: Empowering Residents
Peter Fousek, Secretary-Treasurer, Connecticut Tenants Union
Michael Monte, Chief Executive Officer, Champlain Housing Trust
Mary O’Hara, Executive Vice President, ROC Movement
Dana McKinney White, Assistant Professor of Urban Design, Harvard Graduate School of Design (moderator)
3:45 pm Panel 3: Expanding Financial Supports
Tanya Hahnel, Project Manager, East Boston CDC
Chrystal Kornegay, Chief Executive Officer, MassHousing
Craig Saddlemire, Cooperative Development Organizer, Raise-Op Housing Cooperative
Rachel Weber, Professor of Urban Planning, Harvard Graduate School of Design (moderator)
4:45 pm Wrap-Up: Responses and Reflections
Rachel Bratt, Professor Emerita, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University
The Hon. Mike Connolly, Massachusetts State Representative, 26th Middlesex District
Chris Herbert, Managing Director, Joint Center for Housing Studies (moderator)
5:15 pm Reception
