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housing inspection program; tenant protections to counter dramatic increases in housing costs; lowering the risk of instability, eviction and harassment from landlords; overcrowded housing; living in poor housing and neighborhood conditions; preserving housing at all affordability levels; prioritizing funding for rehabilitation and repair of existing housing stock; creating greater alignment and coordination between local government, health providers, and community-based organizations to address gaps in data. Shelterforce, an independent nonprofit publication that sometimes challenges those in the community development field, offers a number of solutions aimed at preventing gentrification. in a story titled, ‘”7 Policies that Could Prevent Gentrification,” solutions include: aggressively building middle-income housing; reducing or freezing property taxes to protect long-time residents; and prohibiting large-scale luxury development in at-risk neighborhoods. other solutions are enacting and strengthening rent control laws and developing Community land Trusts. Those involved with or tracking gentrification assert that community land trusts (ClTs) are a critical element in the palette of options available for cities seeking neighbor-
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hood stability through affordable housing. They say obtaining public land for a land trust is a way to address issues of environmental justice and displacement by creating open spaces, community gardens and much-needed affordable housing. “i think community land trusts have to be the wave of the future,” said dominic moulden, resource organizer of the housing advocacy organization, one d.C. (organizing Neighborhood equity). “Rent spikes are making it so that regular people can’t live in or afford them. With community land trusts, people living in certain areas control public and private land. you can get grants from the government to pay the taxes and local residents control the land.” “People are doing this around the world – Burlington, Portland, maine, the united Workers in Baltimore, Boston, and the New Columbia land Trust and the 11th Street land Trust here in d.C.” While moulden and david Bowers, a longtime housing advocate, said ClTs are viable and necessary solutions to counter gentrification, Bowers, who has been working with government officials, foundations, developers and others for more than a decade, said he has seen some promising projects from philanthropic organizations, but he still doesn’t see the political will needed by elected officials to confront and significantly address the myriad problems gentrification has wrought. in his many conversations and interactions with government officials, Bowers said the type of movement to
effect real change has been absent. “We need to stop having million-dollar conversations about billion-dollar problems,” he said. “i haven’t seen a fundamental shift over the last few years. on the government side there is a commitment to hold the line budgetwise. The policy and investment are not there. What we have seen is no sense of urgency by elected officials to solve problems within a defined amount of time and no intentionality.” But Bowers said there is a significant movement, where people who had not been involved before have stepped up. He cited the case of kaiser Permanente whose officials recently announced plans to invest $200 million to develop affordable housing nationwide. “They are not a housing group or lender, but they recognize the connection between health and housing,” said Bowers, vice president and Washington impact market leader for enterprise Community Partners, inc. “it’s not just a government thing. Foundations who care about the racial equity gap in terms of health and wellness have an opportunity to have a significant impact on providing affordable housing at a time when housing stocks continue to dwindle.”
Chair volleyball exploding as seniors’ newest sport
This article was produced as a project for the university of Southern California Center for Health Journalism’s National Fellowship.
By Judie HolComB-PACk THe CHRoNiCle
over 125 seniors came out for the Piedmont Plus Senior Games/SilverArts kickoff on Friday, Jan. 18, at Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center, but the biggest draw was the new sport of chair volleyball. Teams from the Salvation Army Senior Center, Arbor Acres Retirement Community, and Sims Recreation Center demonstrated the difficulty – and fun – of playing volleyball in a chair using a beach ball. The main rule is the four legs of the chair and the player’s two feet must remain on the floor at all times. When the game got spirited and competitive, that rule became difficult to keep as players stretched Seniors enjoy a rousing game of chair volleyball at the up or leaned over to toss Community had a similar next week 15 people the ball back over the net. experience. He asked Suzy showed up and it grew Although it seems like it Vaile, Fitness from there. Now they have would be an easy sport, Center/Wellness Arts two nets and about 24 peoplayers quickly worked up director, to “just try it,” ple play every week. Vaile a sweat as they competed and the first week eight or said, “This brings people for bragging rights. ten people showed up. The together who are not usual-
Teams compete during chair volleyball game at Senior Games kickoff on Jan. 18
Robin Pardelia, community outreach liaison for the Salvation Army, said that kelly Stallato, senior programs director, learned about chair volleyball and thought it would be a good addition to the programs at their center. The first game at the center, staff had to play to get enough people to fill two teams. But the word quickly spread and now they have two courts set up and they stay packed. “it’s competitive, but everyone encourages each other and they cheer each other on. it’s great fun!” Chuck Vestal, who coordinates the Senior Games and organized the kickoff, said that Arbor Acres Retirement
Frann Griffin, Ms. Senior North Carolina, and Sarah Brooks talk with Antonius Skipper, a gerontology professor at WSSU, at the Senior Games kickoff on Jan. 18.
Photo by Jude Holocoomb-Pack
Senior Games kickoff on Jan. 18. ly together. i had one resi- sporting competitions or dent tell me, ‘i felt good for the SilverArts, which the rest of the day after includes crafts, photograplaying and laughing.’” phy, painting, and literary Vaile said they have one competitions, to pick up resident who is 100 years entry forms, talk with other old and plays, so anybody participants, or learn more if they’re first-timers. Jessie Garrett, a recreation center director, welcomed participant Ronnie Nations back for the fourth year of competing in track and field events. Nations said, “it is really good camaraderie and a really good time. you feel like you’re a part of something.” ms. Senior North Carolina, Frann Griffin, greeted attendees at the kickoff as part of her ceremonial duties as queen. Her mother, Sarah Brooks, is a former ms. Senior North Carolina and participates in Senior Games at the age of 91. They encouraged seniors to get
Photo by Jude Holocoomb-Pack
can play this sport. Vestal said that several other local Senior Games will be including chair volleyball this year, including High Point and Burlington, although it won’t be part of the State Games - yet. it is a cost-effective sport since it only needs a $60 net and a beach ball. Chair volleyball is played on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army Center on New Walkertown Road, the 14th Street Rec Center on Wednesdays at 11 a.m., and the William Sims Rec Center on Thursdays at 11 a.m. everyone is invited to come out and play. The Senior Games kickoff is an opportunity for those interested in participating in either the
Photo by Jude Holocoomb-Pack
involved and stay active. Vestal says he is excited to see so much interest in chair volleyball and hopes more people will come out to play. “Not only is it fun, it is introducing new people to Senior Games.” To view the rules for chair volleyball or for more information about Senior Games, visit www.WePlay.WS and click on the Seniors’ link. Volleyball Tournament
There will be a chair volleyball tournament held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Salvation Army, 2850 New Walkertown Road. The tournament is open for adults age 50 or better and teams of six players. For more information or to register, contact Chuck Vestal at (336) 727-2325.