The Evolving Landscape of Social Housing in New England
Location: Piper Auditorium, Harvard Graduate School of Design and Online
In response to persistent and worsening housing affordability challenges, the idea of “social housing” has been gaining momentum across the US. While the details differ, social housing proposals all call for creating permanently affordable housing while also expanding the public sector’s direct role in financing, developing, and/or managing projects; emphasizing broad inclusion by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; and giving residents more control over their homes. In this half-day event, practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and researchers will discuss both existing models of social housing in New England and new efforts to create affordable, high-quality homes.
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
Photo: Rivermark (Cambridge, MA)—Renovation and Rehabilitation, completed 2022 by Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. and Bruner/Cott Architects. © Richard Mandelkorn Photography, courtesy of Bruner/Cott Architects.
