Next City

Latest Episodes:

The ‘Death Star’ Law Is Real and Coming to a State Near You Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

The so-called Death Star law was passed in Texas. Luckily, a lawsuit was filed by the city of Houston, joined by San Antonio and El Paso, and supported by dozens of large and small municipalities in Texas - they formed an Alliance, if you will.

The New Crowdfunding: Where the Neighborhood Owns Local Businesses Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Through organizations like Chicago TREND and with the help of new and federally regulated fintech platforms, community members and people of color who were excluded from ownership now have an opportunity not only to own a piece of a shopping mall or other commercial space, but also to see a return on their investment.
Reporting for this story was made possible with funding from the Mastercard Impact Fund in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

The Real Consequences of Not Funding POC Arts Sep 13, 2023

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A new report surveyed nonprofits and what it discovered has activists calling for a new way of funding arts and culture. Can they change the way things have always been done?

Creating a Sanctuary Where Artists Can Sustain Their Work Aug 30, 2023

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In Oakland, a nonprofit is giving entrepreneurs of color the chance to use vacant storefronts to try out their own businesses. The first step? Convert building ground floor into a public park.
Reporting for this story was made possible with funding from the Mastercard Impact Fund in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

We Can Just Decide Not To Evict People With Convictions From Public Housing Aug 23, 2023

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Today we talk about a solution to the lack of housing access that is within reach for many local Public Housing Authorities.

How We Stop Discriminating Against Housing Vouchers Aug 09, 2023

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Housing vouchers are a federally-funded payment system. They’re used by low-income people to rent a home — any home. Or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. While the Fair Housing Act of 1968 offered legal protections against discrimination based on race, religion, sex, and disability, there is nothing in it that says you can’t discriminate against someone based on how the source of their income.

Where Housing Comes First When Solving Homelessness Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Whether it’s medical care, addiction treatment, counseling — or whatever the issue might be that individual case-work would reveal — many people experiencing homelessness need more than stable housing. But there’s evidence that without first offering someone a stable home, all those other issues can’t be properly addressed. That is a concept called “Housing First.”

Boston Is Helping To Buy Up Buildings And Keep Rents Affordable Jul 12, 2023

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An East Boston tenant had been fighting her eviction for eight years when the city established a new neighborhood trust and bought her building — plus, 35 others.

Why So Many People Attend City Meetings in Lexington Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Today we’re learning about a solution in Lexington, Kentucky, where a non-profit called CivicLex is changing things up. We’re speaking with the founder of CivicLex about how they’re getting folks informed and involved in local decisions big and small.

The Importance of Black-Owned Banks Jun 15, 2023

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The first Black-owned bank to open in the last 20 years is in Columbus, Ohio.