Intergenerational Communities - The NLC Service Line Warranty Program by HomeServe

Coronavirus Presents Challenge to Municipal Officials

Federal health officials have left it up to state and local officials on what measures will be used to prevent or control a coronavirus outbreak in their communities. “Local and state governments should begin thinking about what this might look like for them,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for […]

Millennials Buying Housing Face Difficulties Finding Affordable Homes

Christie Myers, Managing Director of Opportunity Dallas, addresses the affordable housing challenges of Millennials. Felicia’s story isn’t unique, but her determination, despite the hand she’s been dealt, is admirable. A Constellation of Rising Stars Seven years ago, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings started the Mayor’s Rising Star Council. We selected six sophomores from five Dallas High […]

What’s Behind the Raw Water Trend?

“Raw,” or “live” water has become trendy, especially in California and New England, and it’s dangerous. Raw water startups are popping up around the country, and people are sharing the locations of springs where raw water can be obtained in areas that don’t have commercial service. What is raw water? It is exactly what it […]

Community Garden Saved a Neighborhood and May Save an Entire City

Christie Myers, Managing Director of Opportunity Dallas, shares the story of a public-private partnership to help address homelessness, including a community garden. Segregated since the Jim Crow era, Dallas’ Bonton neighborhood, consisting of almost solely African-American residents, was designed to be isolated from the rest of the city and its development. Families and neighbors were […]

Take Over Your Block: An Interview With Better Block Foundation

The latest NLC housing report addresses the importance of neighborhood revitalization. Christie Myers, Managing Director of Opportunity Dallas, interviewed Krista Nightengale, Managing Director of Better Block Foundation, about the great work they are doing to build communities. One of my favorite parts about community development is the innovation that exists, if you allow it, by engaging the […]

National League of Cities (NLC) 2019 Housing Report

Earlier this month the National League of Cities (NLC) released a comprehensive affordable housing report entitled “Homeward Bound: The Road to Affordable Housing” Rising home prices and stagnant wages have put tremendous strain on housing markets across the country. Housing is in a state of crisis in America — and cities, towns and villages are […]

Encourage Water Conservation with These Four Tools

Water seems ubiquitous – we turn on the tap, and it’s there. However, less than two percent of water on the planet is freshwater, and only 1 percent is available as drinking water – the rest is frozen. The United Nations predicts that two-thirds of the world population will be water-stressed by 2025. The U.S. uses 322 billion gallons […]

What Royalty Payments Can Do For Your City

Partnering with Utility Service Partners, Inc., a HomeServe company, to offer the NLC Service Line Warranty Program educates homeowners about their service line responsibilities and enhances their peace of mind. As part of the partnership, municipalities can receive royalty payments, which are often used to fund important community programs. In Evansville, Ill., the Evansville Water and […]

Aging in Place is Vital for the Growth and Development of Communities

Christie Myers, Managing Director of Opportunity Dallas, addresses the importance of aging in place to seniors and the community as a whole. On a weekly basis, I am confronted with conversations involving seniors, gently raising their hands from the back row, saying “don’t forget about us.” The repetitive hand raising granted me the opportunity to […]

Vulnerable Populations Important for Fair Housing Policy

In recognition of Fair Housing Month, Christie Myers, Managing Director of Opportunity Dallas, addresses the importance of fair housing policy and practice to vulnerable populations. “Fair housing practices help people understand what it means to be a welcoming and vibrant neighborhood. The ideas, connections, and sense of pride that are found in diverse and open […]