On housing and hope: Beyond rent – building trust, transparency and community partnerships

By Daphney ThomasBlack Dove PropertiesCommunity Impact Solutions& One of the most impactful moments in my work in affordable housing came during a trauma-informed initiative we led locally. In one of the resident interviews, a tenant expressed a deep desire to be seen beyond their ability to pay rent. That statement touched my heart. It reflected the very essence of what affordable housing should aim to achieve—a space where people are valued as whole beings, not just for their ability to meet financial obligations (or not). Many housing developers reserve the right to focus solely on the bricks-and-mortar aspect of their work- and that’s ok. They may avoid getting involved in the human complexities of housing, perhaps because they don’t have to or because it seems too daunting. But for those companies who claim to be building communities where people (who often face many challenges) can grow and thrive, this is a critical insight. The question becomes: *How are your policies set up to reflect this human-centered approach?* For example – do you really need to serve a notice on a Friday thats leaves people anxious  for two whole days before they can speak to a staff person? Is your leadership...