Neighbor Match / Future Housing Communities
Donation protected
Santa Barbara residents can’t wait any longer for governments (federal to local) to reverse the trends of declining diversity, livability and affordability. To date a number of volunteers are working on an ambitious mission for south Santa Barbara County: Stable Housing for All and Supportive and Sustainable neighborhoods. Group leaders are finishing paperwork to have a non-profit entity called Future Housing Communities. The first year Board includes Matt Lowe, Linda Honikman, JP Herrada, Kathy Allen, Noah Compo and Kym Cochran.
There is a lot of agreement that the above goal is urgent but it is difficult to get grants without a non-profit umbrella. This gofundme campaign is to support the December 2019 - March 2020 activities while we complete our non-profit paperwork and obtain seed grants and sponsorships. To supplement our team of volunteers we need funds to cover Spanish translations and help in organizing forums and workshops with national leaders and neighborhood journalists who are representing our most important target groups for affordable housing - workers in the 25 to 44 age group and low income families. Specifically contributions will be equally divided between the following:
1. Organizing in the Westside initially and production of a housing forum and neighbor meetings conducted by high school students who are interested in housing and are participating in the AVP program supervised by JP Herrada. These students and others from underrepresented neighborhoods will help define the housing problems of their friends and family and produce forums and meetings to help renters find ways to get more housing security ($600 is earmarked for bilingual assistance).
2. Neighbor Match co-founder and housing stability spokesperson, Matt Lowe, will continue to monitor relevant government meetings affecting sustainable housing for all income groups and give presentations to community groups about the importance of affordable housing, supportive neighborhoods and the new Neighbor Match program. As a young vision impaired volunteer and educator in the areas of reparations and housing justice, he understands the difficulties skyrocketing rents have created and how that has accelerated the exodus of his age group locally. He will help promote NeighborMatch.org, advocate for vulnerable communities and repreent young workers who do not have housing security ($200 x 4 months=$800).
“The American Dream which includes affordable rentals with a chance of home ownership, is dead for a large number of Santa Barbara residents. Our Network Match team believe in the skills, strengths, and unique abilities of each individual to contribute to the community in their own vital way. One of the most helpful realities of our local community is that we do not have a shortage of housing, we have a lack of open doors. We see ourselves as neighbor matchmakers and believe housing should be available for everyone. We hope that you will join us in that effort since a successful revolution requires community collaboration.” - Matt Lowe
The Future Housing Communities Information and Media Center is a volunteer effort to support the above projects and other affordable housing initiatives as needed. Primary goals for the fall include finishing the 501.c.3 non-profit status, launching media plan with op-eds to reach all of community, build interest list, post relevant articles and host discussion groups related to:
* high density co-op with group equity for Santa Barbara’s 25 to 45 age group
* low income families co-housing with chance to earn equity and
* eco-village co-housing for sustainable neighborhoods.
* and info about successful housing models around the world
You can keep up with the status of all the above by joining our Facebook group “Neighbor Match - SB” and liking the Facebook page "Future Housing Communities".
If you prefer to contribute with cash that is always a welcome option for local supporters and the fundraising goal will be adjusted accordingly.
Let’s Do This!
There is a lot of agreement that the above goal is urgent but it is difficult to get grants without a non-profit umbrella. This gofundme campaign is to support the December 2019 - March 2020 activities while we complete our non-profit paperwork and obtain seed grants and sponsorships. To supplement our team of volunteers we need funds to cover Spanish translations and help in organizing forums and workshops with national leaders and neighborhood journalists who are representing our most important target groups for affordable housing - workers in the 25 to 44 age group and low income families. Specifically contributions will be equally divided between the following:
1. Organizing in the Westside initially and production of a housing forum and neighbor meetings conducted by high school students who are interested in housing and are participating in the AVP program supervised by JP Herrada. These students and others from underrepresented neighborhoods will help define the housing problems of their friends and family and produce forums and meetings to help renters find ways to get more housing security ($600 is earmarked for bilingual assistance).
2. Neighbor Match co-founder and housing stability spokesperson, Matt Lowe, will continue to monitor relevant government meetings affecting sustainable housing for all income groups and give presentations to community groups about the importance of affordable housing, supportive neighborhoods and the new Neighbor Match program. As a young vision impaired volunteer and educator in the areas of reparations and housing justice, he understands the difficulties skyrocketing rents have created and how that has accelerated the exodus of his age group locally. He will help promote NeighborMatch.org, advocate for vulnerable communities and repreent young workers who do not have housing security ($200 x 4 months=$800).
“The American Dream which includes affordable rentals with a chance of home ownership, is dead for a large number of Santa Barbara residents. Our Network Match team believe in the skills, strengths, and unique abilities of each individual to contribute to the community in their own vital way. One of the most helpful realities of our local community is that we do not have a shortage of housing, we have a lack of open doors. We see ourselves as neighbor matchmakers and believe housing should be available for everyone. We hope that you will join us in that effort since a successful revolution requires community collaboration.” - Matt Lowe
The Future Housing Communities Information and Media Center is a volunteer effort to support the above projects and other affordable housing initiatives as needed. Primary goals for the fall include finishing the 501.c.3 non-profit status, launching media plan with op-eds to reach all of community, build interest list, post relevant articles and host discussion groups related to:
* high density co-op with group equity for Santa Barbara’s 25 to 45 age group
* low income families co-housing with chance to earn equity and
* eco-village co-housing for sustainable neighborhoods.
* and info about successful housing models around the world
You can keep up with the status of all the above by joining our Facebook group “Neighbor Match - SB” and liking the Facebook page "Future Housing Communities".
If you prefer to contribute with cash that is always a welcome option for local supporters and the fundraising goal will be adjusted accordingly.
Let’s Do This!
Organizer
Linda Hughett Honikman
Organizer
Santa Barbara, CA