Open Communities Alliance Inc

Purpose: Purpose Oca Proposes an Innovative Outreach and Education Project Addressing the Need for (1) a More Broad-based General Understanding of Fair Housing Rights, (2) Information and Strategies to Counteract Systemic and Discriminatory Exclusionary Zoning, Which Disproportionately Prevents Several Historically Disenfranchised Groups Protected by the Federal Fair Housing Act From Accessing Affordable Housing of Their Choice, (3) Full Information on Strategies for Removing Barriers to Housing Choice for Housing Voucher Households, and (4) Ensuring Balanced Locations of State Government-directed Subsidized Housing Investments.; Activities to Be Performed: Activities to Be Performed Oca Proposes to Undertake All Standard Activities Recommended in the Hud Nofo. in Addition, We Have Included in This Administrative Work the Involvement of Oca’s Governance Board in Oversight and Management of the Organization and the Translation of Any Relevant Documents. Oca Will Update Our Website With Improved Materials on Rights Under the Fair Housing Act and Relevant Resources. Oca Will Also Conduct One or More Trainings to Share Information on Fair Housing Protections With Potential Victims of Housing Discrimination. Oca Will Host Trainings and Educational Events Regarding Exclusionary Zoning and Will Produce Guidance That Outlines Steps Municipal-focused Advocates Can Take to Adopt More Inclusive Planning and Zoning in Their Communities. Oca Will Also Conduct at Least One Technical Assistance Session on Achieving Equitable Planning and Zoning. Oca Will Produce a Guide to Help Voucher Families Navigate the Voucher System to Find Housing and Will Also Create an Online Hub for Voucher Holders Facing Barriers to Finding Housing of Their Choice. Oca Will Produce Two Powerpoint Presentations Designed to Reach Voucher Families and Other Stakeholders About the Voucher and Housing Search Process and Will Also Produce Two How-to Videos as Part of Oca’s Voucher Bootcamp Series. Oca Will Directly Reach Out to at Least 10 Diverse Stakeholders About Oca’s Services for Voucher Families. Oca Will Also Conduct a Training for Stakeholders, in Partnership With Gateway Community College, a Latino Serving Institution That Will Explain the Services Oca Provides to Voucher Families, Including Assistance With Fair Housing Issues. Oca Will Produce a Report That Shares Data About the Location of at Least One State or Federal Subsidized Housing Investment and Offers Recommendations for Policy Changes to Promote Fair Housing and Environmental Justice Goals. Oca Will Host an Event Sharing the Report’s Findings.; Expected Outcomes: Expected Outcomes I. Efficient and Effective Administration of Program Activities of This Grant. Ii. Pages Updated With New Fair Housing Act-specific Information. Iii. Greater Understanding Among Attendees of Fair Housing Rights and Ways to File Complaints. Iv. Deeper Understanding of Barriers Created by Exclusionary Zoning in Connecticut. V. Increased Availability of Materials to Assist Residents of Low Poverty/high Opportunity Areas to Address Exclusionary Zoning. Vi. Deeper Understanding Among Community Leaders of Steps to Take to Achieve More Equitable Planning and Zoning. Vii. Expanded Understanding of Strategies for Navigating the Voucher System to Find Preferred Housing. Viii. Increased Availability of Online Resources in a Variety of Formats. Ix. Increased Knowledge About Oca’s Services Among Stakeholders Who Connect With or Are Involved in the Voucher Program. X. Increased Understanding of Fair Housing Laws and the Importance of the Placement of Subsidized Housing Investments.; Intended Beneficiaries: Intended Beneficiaries Households That Are Disproportionately Lower Income, Especially Black, Latino, and Single-parent-headed Households and Those That Have a Member With a Disability (hereinafter Referred to as the Focus Populations of This Grant).; Subrecipient Activities: None