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D5 Planning for Social Equity
1. Planning for Social Equity:
Tools for Change & Meeting
Challenges
Thursday, September 24
3:45pm-5:00pm
Moderator: Panelists:
Scott Wolf Erin Boggs
Jennifer Raitt
Jeff Davis
2. BUILDING EQUITY INTO
PLANNING: TOOLS AND
CHALLENGES
Conference of the Southern New England American Planning
Association
September 24, 2015
Erin Boggs, Esq.
Open Communities Alliance
3. Open Communities Alliance is a new
Connecticut-based civil rights non-profit
working with an urban-suburban interracial
coalition to advocate for access to
opportunity, particularly through
promoting affordable housing
development in thriving communities.
OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE
Embracing Diversity to Strengthen Connecticut
3
4. 1. The Equity Problem
2. Challenges
3. Effective Tools
4. Cautions/Tips
4
ROAD MAP
6. Vast income & wealth gap –
Blacks and Latinos earn half or
less than Whites (CT)
Educational achievement
Health disparities
Unemployment disparities
Incarceration ratios
Also – disparities for people with
disabilities & single parents
6
RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES
8. LONG TERM ANALYSIS OF MOBILITY:
CHETTY ET AL.
Outcomes for children who
moved before age 13:
Girls were 26% less likely to
become single parents
Greater chance of going to
college, and a higher quality
college
30% higher income
8
We estimate that [a move]
out of public housing to a
low-poverty area when
young (at age 8 on
average) using an MTO-
type experimental voucher
will increase the child’s
total lifetime earnings by
about $302,000.
Second Chetty et al. study showed that the longer a child can be in
a lower poverty area the greater the positive outcomes.
9. Heather Schwartz Study
Low income children who move
to mixed income areas cut the
achievement gap in half over a
5-7 year period.
HOUSING POLICY IS SCHOOL POLICY
9
13. WHERE DO WE LIVE?
OPPORTUNITY BY RACE AND ETHNICITY IN CT
% of People by Race & Ethnicity Living in
Lower Opportunity Areas
Blacks: 73%
Latinos: 73%
Whites: 26%
Asians: 36%
14. NEW ANALYSIS:
OPPORTUNITY DETAIL AND RACE
Very Low Low Moderate High Very High
White 9% 17% 22% 23% 29%
Black 52% 21% 13% 9% 5%
Asian 14% 21% 19% 20% 25%
Hispanic 50% 22% 12% 9% 7%
Very Low Low Moderate High Very High
White 9% 29%
Black 52% 5%
Asian 14% 25%
Hispanic 50% 7%
15. Big picture – how to we achieve access to
opportunity?
Investing in under-resourced areas.
AND
Ensuring that people who want to can move or
otherwise access higher opportunity resources
(schools, jobs).
15
SOLUTIONS
16. 16
SO, IF INCOME MATTERS, THE LOCATION
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING MATTERS
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
CT Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program
17. Struggling Communities:
Thriving Suburban Communities:
17
CHALLENGES: ENTRENCHED
VIEWS/MYTHS
Everyone wants to stay and
should have the right to do
so.
v. Everyone wants to leave and
should have the right to do so
Objections to affordable housing
means you are NIMBY racists
v. Poverty concentration will harm
our schools/kids, housing prices,
crime rates, property taxes
19. Surveys and focus groups
in CT show that many
people want to move.
National surveys show that
diversity is valued.
How the survey is
developed is important.
19
SURVEYS
Professor Maria Krysan, University of Illinois at Chicago,
http://prrac.org/newsletters/julaug2015.pdf.
20. What does “Affirmatively Furthering Fair
Housing” Mean?
Taking meaningful actions [to] … address significant disparities
in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing
segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced
living patterns, transforming racially and ethnically
concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity, and
fostering and maintaining compliance with civil rights and fair
housing laws.
20
HUD’S NEW AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING
FAIR HOUSING: QUICK VERSION
21. 21
THE LONG HISTORY OF GOVERNMENT
POLICIES PROMOTING SEGREGATION
Bel-Crest development, West Hartford,
CT Race Restrictive Language
"No persons of any race except the white
race shall use or occupy any building on
any lot except that this covenant shall
not prevent occupancy by domestic
servants of a different race employed by
an owner or tenant."
22. Jurisdictions and Insular Areas that are required to submit
consolidated plans for the following programs:
CDBG
ESG
HOME
HOPWA
PHAs receiving assistance under sections 8 or 9 of the United
States Housing Act of 1937
[see 24 CFR § 5.154(b)]
22
TO WHOM DOES THE AFFH RULE APPLY?
23. Recipients must produce a FAIR HOUSING ASSESSMENT at least
once every five years. This must encompass:
ENGAGEMENT. Engaging the community in fair housing
planning and adhere to community participation
requirements. See 24 CFR § 5.158.
ASSESSMENT.
Using the Assessment Tool provided by HUD. See 24 CFR § 5.154(d).
Analyzing fair housing issues and contributing factors in their
jurisdictions and regions. See 24 CFR § 5.154(d)(3) and (4).
23
WHAT MUST BE DONE UNDER THE RULE
24. GOALS. Set goals to address identified significant contributing
factors and related fair housing issues and follow through on
these goals in the Consolidated Plan and/or PHA Plan. See 24
CFR § 5.154(d)(4)(iii).
ACTION. Take meaningful actions that AFFH and not take any
action that is inconsistent with the duty to AFFH. See 24 CFR
§ 5.150 and § 5.162.
ADJUST. Look back and make adjustments to previously
established fair housing goals to ensure that progress occurs.
See 24 CFR § 5.154(d)(7).
24
FAIR HOUSING ASSESSMENT, CONT.
25. Beta version available until September 26 th.
http://www.huduser.org/portal/affht_pt.html#affhassess-tab
25
AFFH DATA
Large dots are:
• Public Housing
• Other Multifamily
• Project-Based Section 8
• LIHTC
26. The Fair Housing Assessment must take a regional approach.
The Fair Housing Assessment and Consolidated Plan must
reflect the same fair housing concerns and goals.
The AFFH rule is only as strong as local advocacy that
identifies issues as part of the public comment obligation.
26
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO PLANNERS
27. Erin Boggs, Esq.
Executive Director
Open Communities Alliance
75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 1-210
Hartford, CT 06106
860-610-6040
eboggs@ctoca.org
Check out Open Communities Alliance at
http://www.ctoca.org!
27
PRESENTER INFORMATION
28. Building Equity into Planning
in The Metro Boston Region
Southern New England APA Conference
Jennifer Raitt, Assistant Director of Land Use Planning
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
September, 24 2015
32. Where are regional population
gains coming from?
-6.1%
1.1%
2.0%
0.4%
2.7%
-7%
-6%
-5%
-4%
-3%
-2%
-1%
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
White Black/African American Asian Other Latino
Change in Share
Race/Ethnicity, 2000 - 2010
Source: Census 2000 and 2010, MetroFuture Region (164 municipalities).
36. Adults, as they try to make a
good living, build a home, and stay
healthy
Children, as they try to grow up
healthy, learn, and play
Seniors, as they try to remain
active, retire comfortably, and stay
connected
Inequity Impacts Us All…
Teens and Young
Adults, as they try to learn, stay
safe and out of trouble, and establish
independence
37. Travel Time Penalty by Race & Mode
10
28
70
167
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
AnnualTravelTimePenalty
(hours)
Black car
commuters
vs.
white car
commuters
Black subway
commuters
vs.
white subway
commuters
Black bus
commuters
vs.
white bus
commuters
Black bus
commuters
vs.
white car
commuters
Source: PUMS 2007 - 2011; Dukakis Center at Northeastern University
38. Encourage development and preservation
consistent with SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES.
Partner with our cities and towns to PROMOTE
REGIONAL COLLABORATION, enhance
EFFECTIVENESS, and increase EFFICIENCY.
Play a leading role in helping the region to
achieve greater EQUITY.
Help the region reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and adapt to the physical,
environmental, and social impacts of CLIMATE
CHANGE and NATURAL HAZARDS
39.
40.
41. Housing planning for many municipalities
Strategies to produce housing for Middle-
Income Households
Zoning for multi-family and mixed-income
housing
Advancing state housing policy initiatives
Providing technical assistance to local affordable
housing boards, trusts and committees
Affirmatively furthering fair housing activities
www.mapc.org/fair-housing-toolkit
44. • Tenure
• Household Size and
Type
• Bedroom Count
• Cost Burden
• Mortgage Status
• Overcrowding
• Geographic Mobility
• Race and Ethnicity
• Education
• Citizenship Status
• Income and Poverty
Status
Tracking
Neighborhood
Change
45. How much could rents increase?
Rents along the GLX
could rise
25% to 67%
700 to 800 renters
could become
newly cost-burdened
46. How much housing is needed?
(3,000)
(2,000)
(1,000)
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
10 -
14
15 -
19
20 -
24
25 -
29
30 -
34
35 -
39
40 -
44
45 -
49
50 -
54
55 -
59
60 -
64
65 -
69
70 -
74
75
plus
NetHousingUnitDemand,2010-2020
Agein2010
NetHousing Unit Demand by Age,
City of Somerville, 2010 - 2020, Stronger Region Scenario
Single Family
Multifamily
Source: MAPCPopulationProjections2013
6,300 to 9,000 new units needed to accommodate new
50. Importance of
Community Engagement
• Community-wide workshops
• Neighborhood forums
• Surveys
• Tours of development and
neighborhoods in region
• Interviews with key stakeholders
• Focus Groups
• Attending stakeholders’ meetings
• Farmer’s Markets, Community Days..
• Outreach…. 50
Photo credits: Metropolitan Area Planning Council and
JM Goldson community planning + preservation
51. ThankYou!
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Raitt,
Assistant Director of Land Use &
Chief Housing Planner
617-933-0754 | jraitt@mapc.org
www.mapc.org
@MAPCMetroBoston
52. Equity in RI Planning
Telling the Story,
Making Incremental Progress
Jeff C. Davis, AICP
RI Division of Planning
SNEAPA 2015
54. Equity Profile of Rhode Island
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
Demographics
Economic Vitality
Readiness
Connectedness
Developed with PolicyLink
How equitable is our
region?
Equity-driven growth
model
Austin Post
55. Equity in Community Engagement
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
Plus . . .
Focus Groups
Advertisements, Surveys & major meeting materials in Spanish
Meeting in a Box ILEAD
56. Equity Audits
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
WHAT: Professional, third-party review of planning
documents, goals, policies, and strategies with an eye
toward equity impacts.
WHY: SEAC members felt they couldn’t always verbalize
their concerns or critique technical aspects of plans.
HOW: MAPC staff reviewed Housing and Economic
Development Plans, as they were written, and made
suggestions ranging from accessibility of format and
language to ideas for additional strategies.
Virtually all recommendations were incorporated
57. Economic Development Plan: Rhode Island rising
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
Goal 2: Foster an inclusive economy that
targets opportunity to typically underserved
populations
Policies
A. Develop an urban core strategy to encourage job
creation and other opportunities in areas of higher
concentration of unemployment and to benefit
those who live there.
B. Promote opportunities for workforce training
that lead to upward mobility, particularly for
disadvantaged populations that have faced
barriers to employment.
C. Increase diversity in the state workforce and
state contracting.
58. Principles for implementation
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
• Set Goals
• Collect Data
• Be
Accountable
• Act Equitably
• Innovate ROLE OF THE STATE
• Strong Leadership
• State as Convener
• Efficient, Coordinated State
Government
• Mindfulness of the Concerns & Ideas
of all Rhode Islanders
59. Opportunity Mapping: Overview
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
WHAT
Technical assistance from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of
Race & Ethnicity (Ohio State University)
Composite maps considering a multiplicity of factors contributing
to community opportunity & vitality
WHY
Sustainability, Economic resilience & Equitable planning
Stimulate dialogue and consensus building
Inform strategic planning, program evaluation and design
HOW
Develop and agree upon a local index with input from a number
of stakeholders and ground-truth the map
Additional data is overlaid to provide further information on
access to opportunity
61. “RhodeMap RI is the most dangerous public policy agenda ever
proposed for the Ocean State . . . It is not a . . . plan that Rhode
Islanders would approve if they were to become aware of its many
anti free-market components and its radical social justice measures.”
“When our state accepted funding from . . . HUD to develop a so-
called “sustainable economic” development plan, RI signed up to
advance an international “social equity” agenda that considers
private-property ownership as unfair.”
62. How do you continue moving forward when your
message has been derailed?
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
Never underestimate the need for outreach of all
kinds – it is never enough
Bright ideas can be spoiled by politics – court your
political champions early and often
Focus on providing useful tools and information to
your local “coalition of the willing”
As the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act,
and other policy and legislation have shown, until
there is a cultural shift making equity a “no-
brainer,” these struggles will continue.
63. Some bright spots!
RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
SEAC is exploring ways to keep meeting on its own, and
representatives will be attending the 2015 Equity
Summit in Los Angeles
Work of the Executive Order on equity continues
under RI’s current Governor
Economic Development Plan passed the State Planning
Council unanimously
Rhode Island has adopted one of the only Regional
Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing in the
country
Providence Journal recently completed a very equity-
focused series of articles called “Race in Rhode Island.”
In short, the dialogues continue!
64. RI DIVISION OF
PLANNING
For More Information:
Jeff C. Davis, AICP
RI Division of Planning
Statewide Planning
Program
jeff.davis@doa.ri.gov
Editor's Notes
MetroFuture is our Regional plan that clearly the outcomes we want to achieve by 2030. These are the six high level goals but we have specific measurable below.
What are the outcomes we want to achieve?
To What extent or really how does location factor into these outcomes?
Who are we concerned about?
Opportunity will not be the same for everyone
What are the right measures ?
Some indicators are more important then others.
How do we communicate the data in way that informs policy?
HOLLY:
We know the region is growing but we haven’t discussed where these population gains are coming from. Looking at this chart of the change in share of the racial/ethnic populations between 20000 and 2010, we see that the minority population has increased its share of the pie in the last decade. The Latino and Asian populations in particular grew by the greatest percentages (3% and 2%, respectively). The percentage of Blacks/African Americans increased slightly, and Whites decreased as a share of the total population (though overall, Non-Hispanic White still make up the majority of the region at around 75%). In the next slides we’ll take a look at the populations that are fueling this growth.
HOLLY:
We know the region is growing but we haven’t discussed where these population gains are coming from. Looking at this chart of the change in share of the racial/ethnic populations between 20000 and 2010, we see that the minority population has increased its share of the pie in the last decade. The Latino and Asian populations in particular grew by the greatest percentages (3% and 2%, respectively). The percentage of Blacks/African Americans increased slightly, and Whites decreased as a share of the total population (though overall, Non-Hispanic White still make up the majority of the region at around 75%). In the next slides we’ll take a look at the populations that are fueling this growth.
HOLLY:
We know the region is growing but we haven’t discussed where these population gains are coming from. Looking at this chart of the change in share of the racial/ethnic populations between 20000 and 2010, we see that the minority population has increased its share of the pie in the last decade. The Latino and Asian populations in particular grew by the greatest percentages (3% and 2%, respectively). The percentage of Blacks/African Americans increased slightly, and Whites decreased as a share of the total population (though overall, Non-Hispanic White still make up the majority of the region at around 75%). In the next slides we’ll take a look at the populations that are fueling this growth.
HOLLY:
We know the region is growing but we haven’t discussed where these population gains are coming from. Looking at this chart of the change in share of the racial/ethnic populations between 20000 and 2010, we see that the minority population has increased its share of the pie in the last decade. The Latino and Asian populations in particular grew by the greatest percentages (3% and 2%, respectively). The percentage of Blacks/African Americans increased slightly, and Whites decreased as a share of the total population (though overall, Non-Hispanic White still make up the majority of the region at around 75%). In the next slides we’ll take a look at the populations that are fueling this growth.
Who are we concerned about?
Black bus commuters spend 392 hours commuting each year, versus 225 hours spent commuting for white car commuters.
White bus commuters, who tend to take express buses, spend only 322 hours commuting per year.
The SPC also identified core approaches that MAPC uses to guide its work, including:
• interdisciplinary practice;
• regional perspective and impact;
• data and research;
• convening;
• partnerships;
• civic engagement;
• innovation and creativity;
• advocacy; and
• achieving results.
The SPC also identified core approaches that MAPC uses to guide its work, including:
• interdisciplinary practice;
• regional perspective and impact;
• data and research;
• convening;
• partnerships;
• civic engagement;
• innovation and creativity;
• advocacy; and
• achieving results.
The Green Line Extension will…
Improve mobility for Somerville residents
Attract new industry to the city
Stimulate new housing production
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Housing workshops
Family housing, displacement, and the third will be to come up with strategies
Chance for people to interact with data and set next steps
How many :
SomerVision goal of increasing housing stock to 6000, with 1200 affordable
What tools:
Revising Inclusionary Zoning and other zoning reform
Focus on family housing, elderly housing, low income and moderate income
Just increased Linkage Fee
Just passed CPA
Close tracking of indicators over time
Rhode Island State Government had not explicitly tackled the issue of social equity in any broad sense until the RI Division of Planning received a 2011 Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant from HUD.
In State Government, offices generally tasked with issues related to equity, such as the Commission for Human Rights and the Human Resources Outreach & Diversity Office, were not given central roles.
The greatest stride at the time was the creation of the Commission on Health Advocacy and Equity, staffed by the Department of Health and charged with reducing health disparities in Rhode Island based on race, ethnicity, culture, or socio-economic status.
Division of Planning was committed to the concept of equity, but unsure of where and how to begin, and facing a steep learning curve. It meant a lot of relationship building with people and organizations we had never really worked with before.
The Social Equity Advisory Committee (or SEAC) was the cornerstone of the equity and engagement component of Rhode Island’s grant application to HUD.
Formed in 2013 to help guide and inform RI’s Sustainable Communities Grant, both PROCESS and OUTCOMES.
When consultants bid on our planning grant RFP, the equity component was pretty consistently poor across the board.
We knew the usual efforts wouldn’t work – negotiated with the lead consultant to hire trained facilitators comfortable addressing issues of equity and disparities.
Sought help from a core group of advocacy organizations to identify other organizations and individuals to participate. Met at least once a month throughout the process.
Food always provided, as well as stipends for community members (those not employed by an advocacy organization).
Reviewed all processes for community engagement, as well as the Goals, Policies, and Strategies for the plans.
Struggle to maintain focus and interest over the grant period, let alone into the future.
Developed set of “Social Equity Principles” for consideration in future planning efforts.
State clearly that the goal of all of these plans is to eliminate disparities along race, class, gender, and other dimensions of diversity. Prioritize efforts to improve the housing and economic conditions of those who are struggling the most.
Make sure that development is focused on people.
Use public funds for public good, particularly marginalized populations in the community, not private profits.
Be clear, specific and direct so that outcomes can be measureable and there can be accountability for outcomes. Mandate accountability in the implementation plans.
Do not shy away from frank discussions. Get comfortable with words we don’t like to use, such as segregation and racism. Be explicit about the role that race and ethnicity play in the distribution of benefits and burdens in Rhode Island.
Make sure that plans for housing, economic development and transportation are integrated because the issues are connected.
Listen to the voices of those who have historically been excluded from planning decisions and create opportunities for lasting involvement in planning decisions by members of communities of color.
Engage and involve community residents during implementation.
Make sure meetings and materials are accessible.
One of the first places the State looked to for help on issues of Equity was PolicyLink, a technical assistance provider for HUD Sustainable Communities grant recipients.
We lobbied hard for advice on setting up the SEAC, as well as a data profile demonstrating where disparities were most stark and problematic.
Released in February 2013, the Equity Profile was a great tool for shedding light on inequities, and demonstrating how they are a drag on the State’s economy overall.
Big Takeaways . . .
- All of Rhode Island’s population growth since 1990 has been due to communities of color
- Over 1/3 of RI’s youth are of color vs. only 9% of senior citizens
- Segregation is rather low compared to the US on the whole and has been declining since 1980, but Blacks and Latinos, the most segregated groups, represent less than five percent of the population in 30 of 39 of RI towns.
- People of color have worse outcomes than their white peers in almost every category from education to health to homeownership
- If these trends continue, our young people will be less and less prepared to take on the jobs of the 21st century
Success! Release of this report resulted in an Executive Order from then-Governor Chaffee, expanding state efforts to diversify its workforce and make MBE requirements more effective.
Meeting in a Box was probably our most effective outreach tool.
{Explain how meeting in a box works}
Toolkit for citizen leaders to host discussions at association meetings, neighborhood gatherings, or around their kitchen table
Engage more perspectives and voices
Discussion based on barriers & access to opportunities
RhodeMap RI had more than 20 Meetings in a Box, engaging 172 people
ILEAD (Institute on Leadership in Equity & Development ) was developed by MAPC who helped implement a session in Rhode Island.
Curriculum educates participants on sustainable and equitable development, and how to become advocates for ensuring that development benefits everyone in the community.
Issue: How do you avoid “preaching to the choir”? How do these voices, messages, and perspectives get the ear of decision makers?
One result of these efforts was the explicit inclusion of a Goal in the new economic development plan to “Foster an Inclusive Economy.”
Beyond these explicit policies and strategies, we tried to filter each strategy through an equity lens: Who is likely to benefit? Who is not? Who might be harmed? How can harm be mitigated or eliminated?
Types of strategies include . . .
Reinvest in urban communities through:
Local purchasing and hiring
Training and support for local businesses
Make sure investments bring positive economic impacts ( jobs, neighborhood improvements, etc.) for current residents
Locate workforce training and business development resources where people need them most
Ensure that key materials are available in multiple languages
Develop targeted programs for people with the most barriers to employment, such as disabled individuals, immigrants, homeless individuals, and the formerly incarcerated (Note: there are great racial disparities in RI incarceration. For example, 6% of the population in 2010 was black, but black residents made up 30% of the incarcerated that year.)
Diversify the state workforce at all levels so that the racial and ethnic composition of staff is reflective of the state as a whole
Intensify efforts to promote hiring and apprenticeship programs within minority populations for state and local infrastructure projects
In some ways, what we do is less important than how we do it, how we keep track of our successes and failures, and how we hold ourselves accountable for staying the course.
Whatever specific strategies are pursued, whether for economic development, housing, or anything else, everyone is encouraged to implement them with the following principles in mind.
Such an approach to implementation should shine a light on inequities, but also show where policies designed to be equitable are NOT having a positive impact.
Indicators for RI Opportunity Mapping
Education
Adult education attainment, high school graduation rate, student mobility rates, reduced & free lunches, elementary reading & math proficiency
Economic
% change of jobs, employment competition, proximity to employment, population on public assistance, unemployment rate
Housing & Neighborhood
Foreclosure rate, high cost loans rate, housing cost burden, home ownership, housing vacancy, property values
Transportation & Mobility
Automobile access, mean commute time, transit dependency, bike path
Health & Environment
Toxic waste release, retail food environment, parks and open space, excessive blood levels, asthma
We are still working out if/how/where to publish/use the opportunity maps. They have proven challenging for people to understand.
Strategies for Successful Use of Opportunity Mapping
- Understanding the limitations of data and the context
- Incorporating qualitative data (i.e. assets that can’t be mapped)
- Ground-truthing and public engagement
- Ensuring clear and readable maps
- Using as a tool for communication
In brief, we hadn’t changed the world, and we were often awkward in our efforts, but we had started a number of dialogues, and were getting our partners on the grant Consortium and others to think about these issues in the context of their day to day work.
And then . . .
Social equity can be perceived as a serious threat by some : )
At the end of our planning process, some very vocal opponents to the HUD Sustainable Communities program came out in force.
We weathered a concerted media and political backlash, largely based on outright misinformation and fear that we’d somehow granted HUD the right to dictate local zoning and set racial quotas at the census tract level.
We faced written denouncements from municipal leaders across the state, though primarily in our more rural and suburban communities, and were called to our State House to defend ourselves in front of the RI House Oversight Committee.
In my opinion, discussions of social equity were considered “safe” when they happened to the side. Explicitly addressing equity in the State’s economic development plan set off fireworks wildly out of proportion to anything we had actually done.
