Leveraging Technology to Modernize Environmental Protection in NYC
NYC's Department of Environmental Protection faces growing challenges in providing essential services due to aging infrastructure and climate change impacts, which disproportionately affect low-income residents and communities of color. These populations experience greater vulnerability to service disruptions, water quality issues, and flooding, widening existing socioeconomic disparities. While DEP has begun... Read more
Strengthening Immigrant and Historically Disadvantaged Small Business Ownership and Generational Wealth-Building
Philadelphia's immigrant-owned small businesses play a crucial role in the city's economy, accounting for over a third of businesses in commercial corridors. Despite their economic significance, these business owners face substantial barriers to building long-term wealth, including limited access to business succession planning resources and challenges in acquiring the commercial... Read more
Fostering Intergenerational Wealth Through Homeownership
Kansas City faces significant housing challenges, including high vacancy rates (10.5% of housing units) and declining Black homeownership, which has decreased by 2.5% in recent years with fewer than 50% of Black households owning homes. To address these issues, the City's Land Bank is collaborating with the Office of Housing... Read more
Connecting Home Buyers with Down Payment Assistance
Durham, North Carolina is experiencing one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, currently ranking fourth nationally in price growth and demand. The city's expanding job market in technology and healthcare has attracted new residents, but rising housing costs have created significant challenges, especially for historically underrepresented renters... Read more
Transforming Municipal Property into Affordable Residential Housing Opportunities
Durham, North Carolina has experienced significant growth, with population increasing by 24% between 2010 and 2020 and median home values rising by 59% from 2017 to 2022. These market dynamics have widened existing inequities, with Black household homeownership (42.1%) lagging significantly behind white households (64.6%). To address these disparities, the... Read more
Monetizing Renewable Energy Investments
In the context of New York City's ambitious environmental goals, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is spearheading initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and divert all waste from landfills by 2030. Key among these efforts is the exploration of renewable energy and resource recovery projects within the water... Read more
Improving Efficiency to Combat Climate Change
In response to the immediate climate change risks facing New York City, particularly in vulnerable communities, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is establishing a Project Management Office (PMO) to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in addressing environmental challenges. The city is partnering with FUSE to implement this initiative, focusing... Read more
Advancing Justice Reform Through Multimedia Storytelling
The Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department (JCOD), established by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in November 2022, represents a groundbreaking initiative in the United States. Deviating from traditional incarceration-focused approaches, JCOD aims to support justice-impacted individuals and communities through alternatives that prioritize re-entry services and community investments. Already... Read more
Addressing Flood Mitigation Through Innovative Infrastructure Design and Urban Planning
In response to the escalating impacts of climate change on Jacksonville, FL, the city has initiated a project to develop climate-resilient infrastructure design standards. With rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and coastal storms affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately, the city is partnering with FUSE to create a comprehensive Climate Resilient Design Guidelines... Read more
Building a System to Improve Customer Communication
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is embarking on a crucial project to enhance its customer communication systems. Managing water, sewer, and wastewater facilities for millions, DEP aims to enrich the environment and protect public health. With over 835,000 accounts, the Bureau of Customer Services generates over... Read more