The Source forHousing Solutions

Six Steps to Community Engagement

Leah Werner Senior Program Manager

OMHAS Housing UniversityColumbus, Ohio

Sept 25, 2017

Housing Models and Community Support

Whose support do we need for a leasing

based project?

Building?

Does every project

require us to build

community support?

Opposition to affordable housing is common

Expect conflict. Prepare accordingly.

70% of developers reported experiencing opposition.

“Who, Why, How Communities Oppose Affordable Housing” Scally and Tighue, 2014.

Source of Opposition

Working with the Community

Building a mutually beneficial relationship with the community Getting involved with community associations

or activities Addressing community needs with the project Finding opportunities to educate the

community

Step I: Assessment and Planning

Step II: Political Strategy

Step III: Building Active Community Support

Step IV: Dealing with Community Concerns

Step V: Legal Strategy

Step VI: Public Relations/ Media Strategy

Six Steps to Building Community Support

When opposition usually occurs

Scally and Tighue 2014

Figure 1: Percent of Developers Indicating Opposition Experienced, By Project Stage

Step I: Assessment and Planning

• Done early in the project development process.

• Project team should meet with loyal supporters (people who can keep secrets before the project goes public) to assess and plan.

• Assess what local government approvals are needed, when, by whom.

• Assess process, criteria, and timeline.

Assessment and Planning

Step I: Purpose

What is our organization’s reputation in the county/jurisdiction?

Who are the leaders in the community and what is their knowledge/experience with supportive housing, our organization, and the population we are serving?

Separate the unique

from the generic

Past look of buildings

Current look of buildings

Step I: What and Where

What is “around” the location of the housing units?

What’s the history of the neighborhood(s)?

Who are the local organizations?

What might the neighbors’ issues be?

The process is not linear.

Expect your plans to

change, but by being

prepared you have an

advantage

Step I: Developing Your Strategy

Step 1 must be

done first

Remaining steps

occur at the same

time

Project may affect

staffing needs,

timeline, and

budget

Project may affect

staffing needs,

timeline, and

budget

Step II: Political Strategy

Step II: Political Strategy

Ask the question: “If the vote were held tonight, do I know what the outcome would be?”

Identify solid supporters, uncertain votes, and opponents.

Research how the project

relates to the local

Consolidated Plan and Plan

to End Homelessness.

Step III: Build Public Support

Active, vocal community support will help you

get/keep political support, counter your opponents, tell your story to the media, and when appropriate say things that the developer may not

want to say.

Step III: To Do

Prioritize how much and what

supporters can/will do

Think broadly, widely, and

creatively of who and how they can

help

Don’t expect to convince everyone – focus on the fence-

sitters

Step III: To Do

Get your foot in the door - ask potential supporters to do something small before the

BIG ASK

Get your foot in the door - ask potential supporters to do something small before the

BIG ASK

Determine community’s 

three “bottom‐line” 

issues

Step IV: Dealing with Community Concerns

Dealing with Community Concerns

This is critical and the MOST

difficult process

It’s about relationship

building

Not everyone who asks a question is

an opponent - much less a permanent opponent

Have an alternative to “community

meetings” for getting out

and connecting to

the community

Large meetings may help

organize the opposition

Step IV: To Do

• Open House• One-on-one

meetings• Tours

Any land use issues/zonings you’ll need for the siting of the project

Responses to opponents who base opposition on discriminatory statements or actions

Fair housing and rights of tenants

Step V: Legal Strategy

Step V: Legal Strategy

Bottom Line…

Contact your local fair housing center or Fair Housing Attorney

How to find a Fair Housing Attorney- http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/ohio/w

orking/fheo/fhagenciesttorney!

Step VI: Media Strategy

Most reporters write the story

that is easiest to write

Most reporters write the story

that is easiest to write

Use a prepared response strategy rather than trying to go out and get

stories

Use a prepared response strategy rather than trying to go out and get

stories

Learn how to make the

reporter’s job easier to tell

your story--do some of the

reporter’s work for him/her

Learn how to make the

reporter’s job easier to tell

your story--do some of the

reporter’s work for him/her

Working with the media: Do’s and Don’ts

Do: Remember not everyone has the research and experience you have.

Don’t: Panic, feel like you have to answer every question.

Step VI: To Do

• Develop ongoing friendly relationship with media

• Give lists of references

• Follow-up on any coverage you get with a thank you or a factual correction, if necessary

Funders may

require evidence of

local support for the project,

such as:

• Resolution/letter of support from local elected officials

• Additional support letters from local residents and service providers

• Statement of Consistency with Consolidated Plan or revitalization plan, as applicable

Community Support and Funding

Next Steps: Public Acceptance Community Support

Neighborhood acceptance?

Neighborhood acceptance?

Political will?Who do we need to be talking to? And are they our

friends?

Open Discussion