There is a long held myth that low income individuals cannot save money. However, the Oregon IDA Initiative is proving otherwise. Individuals Development Accounts, or IDAs, are a matched savings program that builds the financial management skills of low income Oregonians while they save towards a goal – homeownership, business development, higher education, or an […]
Collaboration: as good as chocolate?
I was struck by this opinion piece in today’s Oregonian by Larry Wallack, now Dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. I had the pleasure of working with Larry beginning in 2004 as a group of us worked to hone messages that would help us build affordable housing champions. […]
A cadre of champions
As the 2009 Legislative session draws near an end, I’ve been reflecting on our experiences and success. There have been a lot of especially rewarding moments, and a recurring theme. When a small group of advocates formed the Housing Alliance in 2004, we had three main goals. First, we wanted to increase ongoing resources available […]
Introducing Neighborhood Partnerships
We’re almost halfway through 2009, and excited about a year that promises dramatic change, new and unforeseen challenges, and a host of new opportunities. In that spirit of change, we have adopted a new name – Neighborhood Partnerships – and an updated and vibrant new look. Our name change reflects a reality that we internally […]