Trainings for Municipal Officials
We surveyed the municipal officials of Tompkins County, asking them what they would like to learn more about that would help them develop more homes within reach in their towns and villages. Based on their answers, we have organized the first two training sessions.
January 26th, 2006 An Overview
While resources for towns and villages interested in increasing their number of homes within reach are limited, there are also several options available that many municipal officials are not aware of. From our survey responses, we discovered that the municipal officials of Tompkins County truly wanted and needed an overview of how they can make more homes within reach possible.
Which is why, despite the snow, freezing temperatures, and poor driving conditions on the morning of January 26th, over twenty municipal officials from the towns and villages of Ithaca, Lansing, Groton, Dryden, Danby, Enfield, and Caroline attended our first session at the Ramada Inn. Colin McKnight from the New York State Rural Housing Coalition presented An overview of the models, tools, innovative ideas, and funding options available to bring homes within reach to your community. Everyone in attendance found it extremely informative and helpful. Several representatives stated that they would use what they learned to continue the effort to secure more homes within reach for their towns and villages.
March 2006 Recognizing NIMBY and Land Use Tools
At our March 30th session, municipal officials were not only treated to the gorgeous view from our office's conference room; our second presentation focused on two topics: Recognizing NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) and how to address it, and Land Use Tools. Elizabeth Hersh from The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania presented her organization's findings, tools, and best practices developed to handle community opposition to homes within reach. Heather Filiberto from the Tompkins County Planning Department spoke about land use tools that municipal officials can use to bring more homes within reach to their communities. Both presenters took advantage of the intimate setting to answer any questions the municipal officials had. Everyone came away with a greater understanding of how they can frame and encourage increasing more homes within reach, both in their community and their land use laws.
