DMR Architects’ Post

In early 2023, the City of Gadsden, Alabama retained GMC's planning experts to develop the city’s first comprehensive plan in nearly 50 years – GROW Gadsden. Following several months of community engagement, research, meetings with local leaders and more, the final plan has been revealed! The plan is an action-oriented, strategic guide for the City shaped by the community’s values and establishes a collective vision, with short- and long-term actions to achieve that vision. The specific goals and recommendations of this plan have been developed based on extensive input from the residents of Gadsden to work toward the overall vision established by the public. 🔗 Learn more about the plan: https://bit.ly/49qPtEB #buildingcommunities #gmcnetwork #GMCAlabama #planning #GROWGadsden

2,000 Stakeholders’ Input 20 Community Meetings First plan since 1977, and the third in the city’s history — since 1846! #GrowGadsden #UrbanPlanning #CityPlanning #CityManagement

Fantastic to see this (& ahem, I’m v. proud..😊), but it’s often still hard work to achieve when so many in the sector - especially #recruiters - have still not shifted their attitudes to #diversity, effectively perpetuating the same old practices which fish in a very small diminishing pond. When a recruiter (or anyone involved with #recruitment in an organisation), says to me, “there’s very few people in the sector who can do this role”, what are they saying about the large swathes of diverse talent who they don’t know, have not bothered to reach out to, or to find ways of reaching out to ? (True story … from just this week.) Heard so many variations of this same sentiment over the years in #ukhousing, including during the steps that eventually led to the people pictured in the post below. If these attitudes were smashed we would be in a very different place re: #representation, and all be a lot less battle-weary. If you’re in an organisation that genuinely wants to redress the lack of representation, especially on #boards and at #executive level, then make sure you demand better from those who do your recruitment, including yourselves. The change will not happen across the sector until there is a less passive approach to recruitment, and a more collective demand for change.

Would you say YES to the Y? I did. ✋ You would, too, if you check out the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford's new strategic plan for 2024-28. At the board table, we call it the YES strategy. The focus? Youth, Employees and Seniors. YES! For a charity serving communities across three municipalities, strong internal capability (employees) is essential to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of people, from youth (under 30) to older adults (seniors). This plan was a year in the making, with board members, senior staff, employees and community partners engaged at different points during the process. For the past 2-3 years, many organizations have had to put a pause on long-term plans and focus on the immediate COVID-19 crisis in front of them. That's why this strategic plan is a point of pride for the Y of HBB; it's the first fulsome strategic plan as the organization recovers and rebuilds from the pandemic. So, do say YES to the Y. ⬇

Explore the future of housing at Housing Leadership Day with the 'Social Housing in my backyard' workshop. Learn how social housing can tackle California's housing crisis. Register now at

A new programme aimed at helping young people with experience of care or homelessness to access training and career opportunities within the construction sector has been launched by Lovell Partnerships Ltd. Called ‘We’ve Got You’, the initiative will help young people aged 16 to 25 in Birmingham who are care experienced, currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. The project is supported by the Care Leaver Covenant; St Basils; Birmingham City Council, and Birmingham Children's Trust (England). Simon Wingate, Midlands Regional Partnerships Director at Lovell, said: “We are passionate about creating a difference within the communities in which we work and We’ve Got You represents our commitment to helping young people find their path to training, employment and homes. With increased investment in new housing and green jobs together with our experience in delivering housing schemes and major regeneration projects, we can provide a route to help young people, particularly those who have faced adversity in their lives." Birmingham City Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Sharon Thompson, JP , said: “We've Got You is a key programme to empower and support our young people who are leaving care and those experiencing homelessness into employment and stable housing. Without which it is incredibly difficult to unlock their full potential and build a successful future. These resilient individuals, of which I was one, despite facing early adversities possess untapped potential that, with the right support, can flourish and contribute significantly to our communities and society positively." Full story: https://lnkd.in/eAGGUAJa #BuildingBrum #Birmingham #SocialValue

Impact in Focus: In honor of CPC’s 50th year, and in celebration of completing renovations to 16 Manhattan NYCHA developments, we’re shining the spotlight on the PACT Renaissance Collaborative. In 2019, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the nation's largest housing authority, chose the PACT Renaissance Collaborative (PRC) to renovate and revitalize 1,700 apartments across 16 Manhattan developments that are home to nearly 3,000 residents. PRC is comprised of CPC, Monadnock Development, The Community Development Trust, Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), Kalel Companies, and Lemor Development Group. Our participation in NYCHA’s innovative PACT-RAD program further cemented CPC as a trusted organization committed to enhancing the living conditions of NYC residents. We’re delighted to have successfully transformed these buildings into the #affordable, #safe, and #equitable homes their tenants deserve. This work has a meaningful effect on the lives of New Yorkers, and we can’t wait to see how much more impact we can make in the next 50 years. Please follow along all year long as we celebrate our 50th anniversary by highlighting the projects, people, and communities that have made CPC what it is today. #CPC50th #50YearsofImpact #50YearsofInnovation

"This year, CSI prioritized championing charter voices by ensuring active engagement in various committees, working groups, and task forces. In fact, nearly a quarter of CSI staff represented CSI and the charter voice at the state and national levels. Our voices will continue to be heard as we guarantee CSI schools’ interests are considered by decision-makers." 📢 Let's continue to champion Colorado charter public schools together! Explore and share CSI's year-in-review: https://bit.ly/3POHedX #CharterPublicSchools #CharterSchools #ColoradoEducation #edcolo #ColoradoJobs #AnnualReport