Written by: Hannah Sholder, Social Production of Habitat Platform
Community land trusts, limited-equity co-operatives and other affordable housing practitioners are joining together to advance community-led housing efforts around the world. In 2014, this global network launched the Social Production of Habitat Platform to increase the visibility of local practitioners and support their efforts.
A primary goal of the Platform is to support new partnerships and peer-to-peer learning opportunities across national borders and the traditional North-South divide through the digital Platform and regional ‘Hub’ gatherings. This work will strengthen practitioners’ ability to build permanently affordable housing for those whose needs are not met by the government and private markets. In addition, the Platform partners are working with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Leilani Farha, to promote her campaign which ‘Shifts’ the practice of community-led housing from the margins into the spotlight, and asserts that it is a key solution to our world’s affordable housing crisis.
The first North American Hub will be held this year as part of the annual Intersections conference of Grounded Solutions Network (the premier US-based network for permanently affordable housing solutions) from October 9-12, 2017 in Oakland, California. In addition to the 50+ workshops already being offered as part of the conference, the Hub activities will include a keynote presentation by Leilani Farha, peer-to-peer learning groups for US and international CLTs, Co-ops, and other affordable housing practitioners, as well as a regional awards program for affordable housing innovation that is linked to the World Habitat Awards.
Interested in attending the conference and Hub? See the full list of workshops and registration details!
Interested in supporting the conference and Hub? We invite you to help sponsor the event! In return you’ll receive a wide range of benefits including access to over 400 professionals who share the vision of thriving, inclusive communities that last. Your organization’s commitment will be recognized in the conference marketing materials and receive special attention and acknowledgement at Intersections 2017.
For more information email Hannah Sholder, North American Coordinator, Social Production of Habitat Platform, hsholder@gmail.com.
