DENVER — Denver is one of several cities across the country chosen to be part of a new network that aims to find ways to keep people in their homes amid rising housing costs.
The coalition, called the All-In Cities Anti-Displacement Policy Network, is supported by advocacy group PolicyLink, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and The Kresge Foundation.
The group is made up of 10 cities: Denver; Austin, Tex.; Boston; Buffalo, New York; Nashville, Philadelphia, Portland, Ore.; San Jose, Calif.; Santa Fe, New Mex. and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
The goal of the anti-displacement network is for the cities to work together to look at the challenges facing renters, at-risk homebuyers, local businesses and others and find solutions that prevent growth from pushing people out.
Each of the 10 cities in the cohort has a team of up to six local leaders who will take on that task. In Denver, the team consists of City Council President Albus Brooks, Legal advocate Jenny Santos, city planning supervisor Sarah Showalter, Denver housing policy officer Melissa Thate and Five Point Business District Executive Director Tracy Winchester.
"The timing of our selection to this network speaks to the challenges we currently face as a city, and our call to eliminate inequality," Brooks said. "Economic growth has the capacity to build both bridges and barriers. Economic success must be shared by all. This network allows us to collaborate on smart policies that will create a truly inclusive economy for all residents."
The initiative will kick off with a summit in Chicago in April, with another gathering scheduled for the fall.