Post Date: 05/13/2016
The first CMHA Resident Symposium, What Happens When Public Housing Changes, was well attended and very informative. The auditorium was filled with nearly 100 people at the inaugural event, some coming from as far away as Washington, D.C. CMHA CEO Gregory Johnson welcomed everyone by encouraging participation from all in attendance. He stated that, "We are all on level ground today, everyone will be heard. We will listen together, learn together and go forward with new ways to approach changes in public housing." The same sentiment was carried throughout the day. The morning panelists focused on affordable housing accomplishments and the educational studies related to them. Elizabeth Blume from Community Building Institute at Xavier University reminded everyone of how important they are to impacting change, "If you live in the community, you are part of the community. Join the council, attend school board meetings, use your voice."
Former and current CMHA residents were part of another panel focused on change from the resident's view. They shared their fears and concerns and offered suggestions on how to work better with CMHA staff. Plus, all three panelists wanted participants to know the public housing shown in the news is not a good representation of life in the communities. It was noted that good programs promoting self-sufficiency are happening in the large developments and families are more involved in improving their community.
Cincinnati Council Member Yvette Simpson was the keynote speaker for the resident symposium. In her message she stated, "Dignity, partnership and community are the three key things needed for the future of affordable housing." The Resident Symposium could not have taken place without partnership and community and we thank everyone who took time out of their day to join us as panelists, participants or volunteers.
