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affordable housing June 22, 2020
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Need to save bread in 2020? Here are 6 affordable cities for creatives

Most creatives work from the comfort of their living room. Having the freedom to do what you love for a living is a true blessing.

However, income may not always be consistent if you’re new to the game. You may also find yourself in an economic standstill if you haven’t generated new content in a while.

If you live in New York City, you’re basically paying $1500 a month to live in a refrigerator. Other towns, like Toomsboro, Georgia offer homes that equal the same amount of an NYC apartment.

We did our research and found some towns that will enhance your creative experience–in a bigger living room, for less. Check them out:

Toomsboro, GA

 

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📢In the market for a new home, restaurant, an historic inn, perhaps an entire town?? 📢The entire town of Toomsboro, GA is For Sale. 📢The Buyer will get several residential & commercial properties. 📢The town has about 700 residents & is approx 120 miles SE of Atlanta. 📢Sounds like the Sellers want the real estate to go to the right hands. Buyers need to understand the uniqueness & preservation of historic properties. 📢Would be a terrific place for movie sets! 📢If you have any interest as a Buyer, do contact me directly to discuss representation as I have experience in commercial, residential, & historic properties. . . . . . . . . . . . #toomsboro #toomsborogeorgia #toomsboroga #townforsale #commercialrealestate #residentialrealestate #investmentproperty #investors #historichomes #history #georgiarealestate #investor #realestate #realestateinvesting #buyersagent #realtorlife

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This new Georgia town is southeast of Atlanta and is “on the block” for what a luxury NYC apartment costs. Toomsboro has a restaurant, a syrup mill, a bank, and many other amenities. NBC New York reported potential property owners could help convert Toomsboro into a large music venue.

The town’s pond includes RV connections that can make it into a camping spot, where guests can virtually feel like they’re at Coachella.

The current town owners envision the town “in the hands of someone who appreciates its history and wants to preserve it.” As a new town, maybe there may not be much to learn before buying.

Fort Collins, CO

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If you love the outdoors, Fort Collins, Colorado is worth considering. The weather is great for skiing, hiking, rafting, and much more.

Just an hour’s drive from the state’s capital of Denver, Fort Collins simultaneously provides accessibility and an escape. You can snag a one-bedroom apartment here for about $962 per month.

If you’re into trees (I would like to assume most creatives are), you already know Colorado is the place to be.

Philadelphia, PA


Philly, stand up!

Not only can you find a one-bedroom here for about $979 per month, but you can also freely embrace your creativity. Its Pen & Pencil Club is a legendary space where journalists gather to debate headlines.

You’ll also come across a lot of street art to further influence your creative ideas.

New Orleans, LA

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NOLA is known for its rich culture, and most importantly, Bourbon Street. Every year, tourists flock to the town to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Asides from the turn-up, NOLA has a lot to offer. You can snag a 1 BD apartment for less than $800 a month. The city’s energetic vibe is more than likely to spark creativity.

Santa Fe, NM


Don’t forget to bring your passport with you if you move to Santa Fe–the Mexican border is a few hours away via car. Santa Fe is known as the third-largest art market in the U.S.

Artspace reports Santa Fe is very welcoming to its creative community. It is also home to the Santa Fe Art Institute where you can apply for an artist residency and fellowships.

You can find a studio apartment starting at $800 per month in the area.

Cincinnati, OH

 

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Empowerment is a central theme of Elizabeth Catlett’s portrait of the eighteenth-century poet Phillis Wheatley. Abducted from her homeland in West Africa, Wheatley was sold into slavery as a young child. She pursued education even while enslaved in Boston, became a published author by age twenty, and eventually gained her freedom. Catlett surely identified with the poet, whose pose denotes the power and space to think and create. Catlett sought to inspire people to their fullest potential through her work: “Art for me must develop from a necessity within my people. It must answer a question, or wake somebody up, or give a shove in the right direction—our liberation.”⁠ ⁠ Artwork: Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012), United States and Mexico, Phillis Wheatley, 1973, bronze, Museum Purchase: Dr. Sandy Courter Memorial Fund, Lawrence Archer Wachs Trust, A. J. Howe Endowment, Henry Meis Endowment, Phyllis H. Thayer Purchase Fund, Israel and Caroline Wilson Fund, On to the Second Century Endowment, 1999.215, © Catlett Mora Family Trust / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.⁠ ⁠ Part of an ongoing series of posts of work created by artists responding to the need for social change.⁠ ⁠

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One-bedroom apartments starting at $570 a month?

Cincinnati may just be your next stop. The city is home to the Aronoff Center for the Arts, a performing arts center with three large performing spaces. The mid-sized city hosts the yearly Overture Awards, where creatives are scouted and awarded scholarships.

Seattle, WA


Seattle has a lot of diverse neighborhoods, which will make your search fun if you’re considering moving here. If family is your priority, check out the town of North Admiral.

The town’s home median purchase price is $551,173. For monthly rent, it’s $1,087 for a home. If you’re young and single, consider moving to Wedgwood.

The town is safer than 74% of Washington cities and has a $1,501 median monthly rent for a home. For buyers, it’s around $543,192. Seattle is home to many places of inspiration, like creative studios.

Las Vegas, NV


If what happens in Vegas really stays there, then you should head on over. Las Vegas has more to offer than its casinos and bright lights.

It is home to the Contemporary Arts Center, located in the town’s art district. If your passion is a craft, then you’ll most likely attend their annual Harvest Festival Annual Art and Craft Show.

It is the largest indoor art craft show on the west coast. In Las Vegas’ neighborhood, Beverly Green, you can snag an apartment for $804 per month. On The Strip, you’ll be paying an average of $925 per apartment.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moving may not be everyone’s first priority right now, but it’s worth planning for. Creatives: continue working at your craft, and seeking affordable opportunities to let your creative juices further flow.

If you’re a creative of color we want to help submit for your chance to win $1000 below:

Submit here.

affordable housing April 28, 2020
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Are you with the #CancelRent movement? Then call your Representative

As Covid-19’s effects on the economy continue to spread, many have unfortunately lost income and whole industries have had to pull back operations.

Many of us have felt the repercussions. We discussed some ways to financially adjust to the pandemic, but for so many economic stability has become unattainable. And the most expensive thing that many of us pay for is rent.

Since the beginning of April, the #CancelRent Movement has been advocating for the legal suspension of rent payments effectively executed by state and federal governments.

The role of rent in our budgets

We’ve been told time and again that you should only be spending 30 percent or less of your income on rent. But with rent prices soaring while income stays the same in the US, that math no longer adds up.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University reports that 10.9 million renters spent more than 50 percent of their income on housing in 2018.

The term rent-burdened is used to refer to renters who spend more than that good old 30 percent of their income on housing. And according to that, most of you reading this are more than likely rent-burdened even outside of the Coronavirus pandemic.

While the need for renting assistance has grown, the amount of housing assistance has stayed flat. There are also constrained vacancies for affordable housing because the industry has focused construction on higher more expensive housing.

This all leads to higher and higher rent, while income levels stay the same growing rent-burdened populations. But within the COVID-19 devastating economic situation, the severity of being rent-burdened has increased.

What cancel rent advocates are asking for

Advocacy groups like Housing Justice for All NY have been fighting for renter’s rights for years. Universal Rent Control has been legislation that many have been asking for. You’ve probably heard of rent-controlled apartments.

They’re mythical, impossible to find, because no new apartments are being added to the rent-controlled roster. Plus, many old ones from decades ago are being eliminated and returned to “current value” rent.

Lately, those advocacy groups have started to demand the cancelation of rent. And as time passes and people’s economic situations deteriorate, the #CancelRent movement is growing.

https://twitter.com/fatangryqueer/status/1251921578658578440?s=20

There have been many crazy stories about landlords illegally attempting to punish or push out renters who are late on payments or on rent strike.

Some share stories of landlords telling them that they must vacate the unit if they are sick with COVID-19. Others are receiving threats from landlords who have illegally accessed IRS information using tenant’s social security numbers stating that they know the renter has received their stimulus check.

Still more are stating landlords are cutting power and running water to renters who are late on payments. The pandemic’s effect on our ability to pay also reminds us of just how close we are to financial ruin.

We are far more likely to become homeless than rich.

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Housing advocates are also asking for thousands of vacant hotel rooms to be open to the homeless who cannot shelter in place. Shelters are full and unable to handle the requirements of healthy social distancing.

https://twitter.com/KikiCocoaa/status/1252500169263845377?s=20

Our  Government’s response

So far, several states have already enacted moratoriums on rent. This means that you cannot be taken to court for not paying rent during this time. You also cannot be evicted. Governor Cuomo of NY still believes this is enough to deal with the current rent issue.

But as AOC explained during a virtual town hall hosted by NY Housing Justice for All, that is not enough.


NY Mayor de Blasio has called for Freezing Rent as well as state approval to pay rent with the security deposit.

He also explained that the City will step in and stop any evictions. He also added that rooms are available for those who cannot shelter in place.

Government representatives like Ilhan Omar and AOC have called for canceling rent during the COVID pandemic.

Rep. Omar introduced a bill that would offer total forgiveness on rent and mortgage payments, starting April 1 until 30 days after the end of the federal state of emergency.

Some of the big takeaways from the bill:

The bill would suspend rent and mortgage payments retroactively to March 13, 2020 and it would last for one year. Renters and mortgage borrowers who have paid for the month of April would be reimbursed.
The Bill also protects landlords and lenders by allowing them to recoup losses by accessing a relief fund created by the federal government via the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The bill also goes beyond that by establishing an affordable housing fund to purchase rental properties to increase housing for low-income applicants.

So are you with #CancelRent? Call your representative to voice your feelings on legislation surrounding rent and mortgage suspensions. If you’re in NY call Cuomo to ask for a more comprehensive response to rent issues.

affordable housing October 16, 2018
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How T.I. is turning gentrified homes in Atlanta into affordable housing

There are few in the rap game who are busier than Clifford “T.I.” Harris.

You may have seen his name intertwined with Kanye’s earlier this summer when he collaborated with the controversial rapper on “Ye vs. The People,” or more recently when he publically denounced Ye on Instagram.

 

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Now I’ve been extremely patient and made it a point to not jump to any premature conclusions about Ye’& his antics… Partially due to the lessons learned from the outcome of other similar situations dealing wit my brother Wayne (which I admittedly mishandled a bit in hindsight) But now this shit is next level,futuristic Sambo,Hopping Bob, Stephen off Django ass shit Ye!!!! From what I can gather… This is the most repulsive,disgraceful, Embarrassing act of desperation & auctioning off of one’s soul to gain power I’ve ever seen. Now I recall you asking me to come with you to have this meeting and I declined (naturally)… but bro… if ain’time I would’ve been in there wit you and you behaved that spinelessly in my presence,I feel that I’d be compelled to slap de’Fuq outta you bro For the People!!! You ass kissing and boot licking on a whole new level &I refuse to associate myself with something so vile,weak,& inconsiderate to the effect this has on the greater good of ALL OUR PEOPLE!!!! I’m a true believer in “It ain’t what you do,it’s how you do it.” And this shit is regurgitating🤮! At one time it was a pleasure to work alongside you… now, I’m ashamed to have ever been associated with you. To all the people who follow Ye musically,socially, or even personally….who are confused, heartbroken, infuriated…. Let me make this clear… THIS SHIT AINT COOL!!! THIS IS A MOVE YE MADE FOR YE!!! THIS IS A PLAY TO PUT HIM IN A POSITION HE’D LIKE TO SEE HIMSELF IN…WE ARE NOT ON HIS MIND AS HE MAKES THESE COMMENTS AND DECISIONS. Don’t follow this puppet. Because as long as I’ve lived I’ve learned that it benefits a man nothing at all to gain the world,if to do so he must lose his soul. We just saw Mr.West’s Soul on auction. If you listen closely you can hear the tears of our ancestors hit the floor. All I can say is… I’ve reached my limits. This is my stop,I’m officially DONE!!!! 🖕🏽Trump & His Lil Cookie Boy. #USorELSE✊🏽

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It’s also very likely that you caught wind that he signed with Epic and dropped his tenth studio album in four years, Dime Trap. Not too shabby for a 38-year-old seasoned veteran who has managed to stay relevant without making a fool out of himself.

More importantly, however, T.I has made news again, this time for his pitch on how to transform gentrified homes in Atlanta into affordable housing.

During a new profile with ABC News, the Grammy Award-winning MC spoke on how he’s in a different place in his career and how he wants to be a real role model. This energy has led to his new endeavor to “Buy Back the Block.” He says,

“With as much growth and opportunity that’s going on in my community—and, you know, Mike’s community as well—we refuse to be left behind.”

The venture is in association with Dynasty Real Estate Development and APD-Urban Planning and Management and their purpose is to buy as many buildings with gentrification inflated prices as possible and flip them into affordable households.

So far T.I. has purchased nine homes and has also teamed up with Killer Mike to save an old neighborhood restaurant called, Bankhead Seafood, which almost closed. T.I. added,

“I have enough things going on where I don’t have to chase sensationalism, I don’t have to be provocative for no reason just because my personality lends itself to controversy. Rather than try to be a role model, I’d rather be a real model.”

Peep T.I.’s interview with ABC below: