The Inclusivity Institute is providing technical support for Neighborscapes as they offer under-market housing to Community Building Fellows in the South Side of Chicago.
Since nearly the beginning of the Inclusivity Institute, Jay Readey (an attorney and social entrepreneur in Chicago with a focus on equity, inclusive communities and racial justice) has been dedicated to broader conversations around ambitious desegregation planning. The Institute has also provided substantial research and capacity support for NeighborScapes.
Jay launched this program to strengthen the physical and social fabric of neighborhoods, and support the enrichment and development of young people. The program achieves this by rehabilitating and repurposing vacant houses to become Innovation Houses. These houses are rented to Community-Building Fellows (CBFs) seeking to transform neighborhoods of concentrated distress by participating in community change. CBFs can be from any source, but they must commit to working 10+ hours per month in volunteer community or civic service.
The Institute believes in this program model's ability to assist with housing stabilization, community building, career development for residents. It also fosters critical and sustainable investment to disinvested areas without displacement to residents.
Accordingly, the Institute is continuing to support NeighborScapes, consulting with the program's leaders on ways to support stability among their tenants, provide research support for funding opportunities and research site locations throughout Chicago.
Additionally, the Institute has been collaborating with the the Pedcor JEDI committee to explore redevelopment prospects within Indianapolis to help launch similiar community housing models within Indianapolis. These would have a focus on serving underserved populations who are too frequently represented in the homeless continuum. We have jointly convened numerous meetings with city leadership and directors of key non-profit community development organizations to discuss this potential.
We are continuing to identify location options and a non-profit partner to manage sites under consideration that are close in proximity to transportation, educational institutions and career development programs, health care, and downtown service providers. We are eager to support scaling up this impactful model in Chicago, potentially Indianapolis and other cities we may develop partnerships in throughout the country.