Engaging Community Support for Affordable Housing Development: The Need to Go Beyond Traditional Public Meetings
When it comes to building affordable housing, developers understand the importance of connecting with community members and gaining their support. However, recent surveys have shown that traditional public meetings are not effectively achieving this goal. As one respondent noted, “We don’t seem to be connecting with people the way they want.”
The survey highlighted several reasons why public meetings are falling short in engaging community members. One major issue is that these meetings often do not result in any changes being made based on feedback from residents. This lack of impact can lead to a sense of apathy among community members who may feel like their participation is not meaningful.
Another factor contributing to the ineffectiveness of public meetings is time constraints and language barriers faced by many residents, particularly those from minority or non-English speaking backgrounds.
Despite these challenges, developers continue using traditional public meetings as they are required for approvals processes. Some have attempted moving them online through platforms like Zoom but have found this approach also lacking in reaching traditionally excluded groups.
To truly engage and gain trust from all community members, it’s important for developers and planners to go beyond relying solely on live council or Zoom gatherings as a single point of engagement. Instead, utilizing multiple tools such as digital platforms can provide ongoing opportunities for feedback while also addressing language barriers through translation features.
One successful example is Burbank Boulevard Senior Housing which partnered with coUrbanize – an online platform designed specifically for development projects –to gather feedback from residents who were unable attend traditional public hearings or speak English fluently . Through text message integration , social media ads ,and QR codes linked directly back project website where comments could be posted ,community involvement increased significantly while providing valuable insights into resident needs .
“Real estate developers should take advantage of modern technology tools that allow translation options so all voices can be heard,” says Karin Brandt CEO & founder of coUrbanize. By providing a 24/7 outlet for community engagement, developers and planners can ensure that all voices are heard and taken into consideration throughout the development process. This not only helps to build trust with the community but also leads to more successful projects that meet the needs of all residents.
