community engagement | Fort Wayne Media Collaborative

Republican Q&A Candidate Forum 4.14.24

by Brianna Datta-Barrow | Apr 18, 2024

Did you miss your chance to attend the Republican Candidate Forum over the weekend? You can watch candidates presenting their platforms, discussing key issues, and answering questions from the audience at the link below. IN03 Congressional Candidates from left to right: Tim Smith (R), Grant Bucher (R), Wendy W. Davis (R), Jon Kenworthy (R), Marlin A. Stutzman (R), Michael Felker (R), and Eric Whalen (R). Video presentation candidate: Andy Zay (R). https://youtu.be/UqNkWCw4JSU?feature=shared For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com.

Democratic Q&A Candidate Forum 4.06.24

by Brianna Datta-Barrow | Apr 10, 2024

https://youtu.be/Y9Sdoz6sqAI IN03 Congressional Candidates Phil Goss & Kiley Adolf participate in Democratic Q&A Candidate Forum presented by the Fort Wayne Media Collaborative and Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at the Allen County Public Library Main Branch on April 6th, 2024.

2024 CANDIDATE FORUMS FOR DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTIONS

by Brianna Datta-Barrow | Mar 29, 2024

Join us for an insightful series of Candidate Forums where you can hear directly from the contenders vying for your vote in the upcoming Indiana 2024 Primary Election. This is your chance to engage with the candidates, understand their perspectives, and make informed decisions on Election Day. Both forums will feature candidates from their respective parties, presenting their platforms, discussing key issues, and answering questions from the audience. It's an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about the individuals who could potentially represent you in important positions of leadership. Remember, your voice matters, and your vote counts! To reserve a spot for these events, register at: Democratic Party forum: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../3rd-district-congressional......

Estate Planning Made Simple: Name a Beneficiary for Your House

by Gabi Lorino | Mar 15, 2024

Estate planning can be a slog, but some shortcuts cut down on stress and expenses for beneficiaries. One way to streamline the transfer of property is to establish a Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed for Hoosier homes. Similar to a Lady Bird Deed, which is available in Michigan, Vermont, Texas, West Virginia, and Florida, a TOD Deed allows an Indiana property owner to designate a beneficiary to inherit the property after the owner’s death. Having a TOD Deed in place means that the property skips the probate process, which can delay the transfer of ownership. Meanwhile, the owner holds the rights to the property exclusively until death. Allen County Recorder Nicole Keesling talked about TOD Deeds in a recent interview, starting with the process of registering a TOD Deed with Allen...

Renting in Cool Blue Illinois: Protections, Freedoms, and Support

by Gabi Lorino | Feb 1, 2024

What a difference a border makes! Illinois, known for its Democratic leanings in the heart of the more Republican Midwest, has set up some of its laws to protect both renters and landlords. However, with an increasing demand for affordable housing, Illinois’ housing market continues to be competitive and expensive. Illinois Rules and Laws Protections for landlords and tenants start with the laws that govern them. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office publishes the “Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws” to help navigate these roles. According to the AG, some protections that Illinois renters have are: They can ask that necessary repairs be made, and use this as a viable defense against eviction if they withhold a portion of their rent when the landlord has not paid for the...

Time for Change in Michigan, Legislature to Protect Renters Being Worked On

by Dezaray Clawson | Jan 22, 2024

Nearly 20% of Michigan renters will face the threat of eviction this year. In a state with over 1 million renters, this leaves about 200,000 citizens at risk of losing their homes. But there is legislation in the works to try to solve this. Michigan RentersInfogram In 2022, Ann Arbor, a city where over half the households are renters, passed Section 8:531 of the housing code, the right to renew. This law requires Ann Arbor landlords make a “good faith” offer to renew a lease 180 days before a tenant’s lease is up. Relocation is expensive and time consuming. Apartment hunting, packing, cleaning, along with security deposits and first- and last-month rent payments add up fast. If a tenant is offered an opportunity to renew, this can save them from being placed farther back...

Housing Crisis: A Growing Problem in Central Ohio

by Lindsay Burke | Jan 18, 2024

As housing costs continue to increase across the nation, so does the stress on lower income and middle-class families in Columbus, Ohio. The problem? Too many residents, not enough affordable places to live. A recent report found over half of homeowners in Central Ohio are spending most of their income on housing costs. To be considered affordable, housing expenses should represent no more than 30% of a household’s income, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Carlie Boos, executive director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, says the area’s housing supply is struggling to keep pace with the population. This very underbuilding of housing is one of the key drivers of housing costs. As of August 2023, Columbus home prices were...

Renting in the State of Kentucky

by Ireland Miller | Jan 17, 2024

Andrea Zang hopes for a world where there are no limits to who can access sustainable and truly affordable housing. “It’s a rent crisis,” said Zang, a Kentucky resident, member of KY Tenants and a leader with the Homes Guarantee campaign. “People are making decisions to not buy food, to not buy medical care because they have to make rent.” Homes Guarantee is led by tenants and aims to ensure everyone has the ability to find comfortable, safe, and affordable places to live. Over 250 tenant-led organizations have contributed to this cause and are working to meet with White House officials. According to data from InvestFourMore, a blog started by Colorado landlord and real estate agent Mark Ferguson, Kentucky is the second-most landlord-friendly state in the U.S. with a ranking...

KHEPRW Goals for Indianapolis Community Land Trust

by Brianna Datta-Barrow | Dec 6, 2023

https://youtu.be/6XO8zWrwZZM Kheprw is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis that’s taking an active role in creating affordable housing options for residents by starting a Community Land Trust there. Their strategy is to develop community leaders who can move their CLT project forward and help address some of the inequalities in wealth that have influenced who can afford housing and who cannot. With Indianapolis’ eviction rate soaring to #8 in the US according to the latest numbers out of evictionlab.org, this type of strategic thinking on the part of nonprofits is needed to help provide residents with affordable, long-term housing solutions. A conversation with Alvin Sangsuwangul and Gabi Lorino. For more information, visit kheprw.org For more information, visit...

KHEPRW Creating a Community Land Trust

by Brianna Datta-Barrow | Dec 6, 2023

https://youtu.be/ZezpeGFx67A How can a community come together to create affordable housing? This video tells the story of different forces that came together in Indianapolis to help start a community land trust. Many factors need to be considered when setting up a nonprofit, finding funding, and developing places where affordable housing such as a CLT can go from idea to reality. A conversation with Alvin Sangsuwangul and journalist Gabi Lorino. For more information, visit kheprw.org For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com Paid for by the Fort Wayne Media Collaborative.

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