Two case studies by Action for Regional Equity chronicle the need to infuse equity into housing and transit oriented development.
Community Controlled Housing for Massachusetts reviews the important role that nonprofits and collective resident ownership have played in keeping housing affordable for low- and moderate-income residents of the Commonwealth. The report investigates ways to increase the supply of housing in nonprofit and community control in the face of the continuing housing affordability crisis in Massachusetts.
Building the Line to Equity examines the growth of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in Massachusetts, its potential to transform communities, the critical investment decisions that TOD creates, and specific steps to ensure that social equity drives decision making and serves residents of the affected communities.
The Fare Way : Advocacy Strategies for Affordable Transit
"People are generally understanding of the need for increased revenues. They are not looking for a free ride - just a fair one."
Context: In Summer 2003, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced proposed fare increases of 33% for bus service and 25% for subway lines, effective January 1, 2004 . The MBTA joined the growing trend nationally of transit authorities seeking to offset unanticipated operating deficits through increased fare revenues; 90% of large agencies are implementing fare increases and 34% of all agencies are providing less frequent service. Objecting to insufficient environmental review, procedural shortcomings, and an insufficient public participation process, a diverse coalition of transit advocates and other concerned organizations established the Fight the Fare Increase Campaign . Advocates frequently pursue this course of action for two principle reasons relating to regional equity. First, fare increases are most often devised with a structure that is regressive and most directly impacts low-income communities and transit dependent communities of color. Second, the fare increase touches all demographic groups and brings considerable attention to broader issues of public transit. This provides a particular window of negotiation for advocates with their transportation authorities.
The Coalition wanted to understand what effective advocacy strategies had been employed in similar efforts around the country during the last several years. PolicyLink, a national advocacy nonprofit committed to social and economic equity and a partner with many of the groups in the coalition, agreed to perform a cursory survey of noteworthy transit advocacy campaigns that had resisted fare increases.
The research was conducted in August and early September 2003. While far from exhaustive, the preliminary findings serve as a useful guide to framing subsequent strategic planning for fare increase resistance campaigns.
click here for a PDF of the principal findings of the research.
click here for a PDF of a recent MASSPIRG report detailing cost implications of the fare increase.
In 2002, Action for Regional Equity conducted an extensive study of the forces shaping regional development in Greater Boston. With the cooperation of more than 120 local nonprofit organizations, resident groups, community development corporations, academics, and government agencies, Action! helped to forge a definition for regional equity that was true to the reality of Massachusetts development patterns. The resulting report, Promise and Challenge, continues to drive the group's research and advocacy efforts.