The Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing and other types of related legal issues are discussed on this site of a Mental Health Legal Clinic.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
“This searchable database contains proven solutions to common urban problems facing the world’s cities today.” A variety of projects are discussed, including those relating to affordable housing, homelessness, land usage, construction techniques, home financing, and a wealth of related issues, such as poverty, education, sustainability, economic development, social services, gender equity and equality, environmental protection, and other urban issues. Full project descriptions are provided only if you have an account with them.
Rating: Excellent
Location: New York, New York, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, New York, Multi-National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community, Hospice / Healthcare, Shelter / Homeless, Transitional
The online newsletter meant to keep branch members informed of events, this site maintains a library of past presentations related to elderly and disabled housing, as well as general housing issues and discussions. Unfortunately, it is not well updated or maintained, which makes it rather frustrating to use.
CCH is “dedicated to addressing the emergency needs of homeless persons and the primary causes of homelessness in Chicago, such as lack of affordable housing and jobs that pay a living wage.” Their site discusses these issues and also includes descriptions of recent accomplishments, projects, committees and membership opportunities.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Illinois, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Shelter / Homeless
Coalition to Preserve the Fair Housing Act
http://www.bazelon.org/cpfha/cpfha.html
“The Coalition has been formed in response to several legislative threats to the 1988 Fair Housing Act.” Details of the legislation’s history and progress, subsequent problems, and ongoing investigations are included.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Disability Concern, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
This site details the benefits of co-operative housing, detailing its affordability, community atmosphere, security of tenure and democratic control. Educational materials, related sites, principles of co-operative housing establishments, and Canadian resources are also provided. Available in English or French.
The EBBA site strives to “promote environmentally respectful development through development and dissemination of information, conducting training, and providing peer-reviewed online journal for use by though housing industry, consumers, and governmental agencies.” Information about energy efficient housing, cost-saving techniques, the EBBA, and links to related sources are also provided.
Rating: Informative
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Minnesota, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
Envirosense Consortium, Inc.
http://www.envirosense.org/
The Envirosense Consortium and its website provide educational programs that focus on proactive solutions for building, product, and maintenance systems through its described projects, programs, member list, searchable database, and newsletter.
Rating: Informative
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Georgia, National, Membership Group, Private Business, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
Eugene Committee for Affordable Housing
http://www.efn.org/~cfah/
This site has been created to serve as a “electronic clearinghouse” for information regarding the passage of the Eugene Affordable Housing Utility Consumption Tax, a measure intended to provide resources to help build and develop affordable housing. Links to other housing resources are also included.
Rating: Excellent
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Oregon, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Legal / Policy, Shelter / Homeless, Transitional
European Federation of National Organizations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)
This site identifies FEANTSA’s policy goals, research activities, current lobbying, publications and other information about the groups’ efforts to alleviate homelessness in Europe. Organizational structure, the Federation’s members, and contact information is also provided. Unfortunately, there are no links to projects, ongoing studies, sites, or groups.
A non-profit coalition of a growing number of environmental organizations in the state of Georgia, EcoNetwork is a resource project of the Environmental Fund For Georgia. This site provides comprehensive information on each organization, and includes information about projects, programs, and publications related to the groups.
Rating: Informative
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Georgia, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Environmental / Sustainable
HandsNet
http://www.handsnet.org/handsnet/
The Housing and Community Development Forum on this site “serves national, state, and local organizations building and supporting low-income housing, advocating for low-income communities, organizing neighborhoods and others involved in community development.” Membership is required to receive full access to their services, programs, and publications, although some information is provided about those free of charge.
Rating: Informative
Location: Cupertino, California, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, California, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community
“HomeAid’s mission is to build or renovate shelters for transitionally homeless men, women and children,” and their site lists pertinent press releases, events, projects, programs, and other homelessness information.
“Homeless Online has been created in an effort to unify online resources for the benefit of the homeless population,” and their brief site strives to “develop and advocate effective and humane services, employment, and housing for homeless and low-income people.” This site includes details of the San Francisco and Palo Alto chapters and information how to volunteer, become a member, or reach other homelessness resources.
“InnVision is dedicated to helping individuals and families break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.” Their site provides information about their short-term housing, long-term housing and comprehensive support services. Additional information is provided about receiving meals, homelessness, programs, employment, shelters, community links, and how to become a volunteer.
This site has been developed to “expand and inspire movements for peace, economic and social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability around the world by providing and developing accessible computer networking tools,” and maintains PeaceNet, EcoNet, ConflictNet, LaborNet, and WomensNet. A variety of specific projects and programs relating to those issues, and membership information are also included.
Rating: Recommended
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, California, Multi-National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Special Interest / Minority, Environmental / Sustainable
Intentional Communities
http://www.well.com/user/cmty/
Sponsored by the Fellowship for Intentional Communities, this is a comprehensive site of Intentional Communities worldwide (cohousing, ecovillages, communes, co-ops, and urban housing cooperatives). The site includes a massive directory of communities, their magazine, extensive background information about Intentional Communities and a wide collection of related information.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Rutledge, Missouri, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Missouri, Multi-National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community, Cohousing / Cooperative
International Society of City and Regional Planners
http://titsoc.soc.titech.ac.jp/isocarp/
This site contains information about ISOCARP’s programs, services, objectives, conferences, and related issues. Topics of interest include urban and regional planning, planning theory, planning management, urban and regional design, urban and regional renewal, housing/habitat, sustainable development, transport and mobility, architectural design, urban history/heritage, and related disciplines.
Rating: Informative
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Related pages:Netherlands, Multi-National, Membership Group, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Legal / Policy, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community
“Aimed at the advancement of renewable energy through research, technology transfer, commercialization and education,” this organization and site provide a wealth of information about solar energy, design, and energy efficiency in businesses and residences. Links to related sites, publications, conferences, and other resources are provided.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Freiburg, Germany
Related pages:Germany, Multi-National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
A publisher and website created to “help meet the need for accessible, solutions-oriented information through a unique approach that addresses the multidisciplinary nature of environmental problems,” this searchable site includes information about their publications, authors, solutions, and suggestions. Book orders are taken online, and links to related sites are also offered.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Legal / Policy, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community
IUCN’s mission is “to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.” Their site contains information about a variety of ecological and design issues, and provides information about their membership, programs, publications, and events.
Rating: Informative
Location: Gland, Switzerland
Related pages:Switzerland, Multi-National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community
Jewish Information and Reference Service of Greater Washington
This site maintains a massive directory for Jewish services and resources in the Washington, DC, region, including a variety of listed housing options and services.
This searchable site includes everything you ever wanted to know about the manufactured housing business and construction, community and energy efficiency information, and the Top One Hundred Manufactured Housing Links to HUD’s Web Servers.
Rating: Excellent
Location: USA
Related pages: USA, Multi-National, Membership Group, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community, Manufactured
A site for coalition of “business, civic, and planning leaders working in the public interest to achieve policy that enhances the vitality and livability of the Chicago metropolitan region,” it includes the MPC history, publications, projects, and housing updates for the region.
Rating: Informative
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Illinois, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
Ministry to the Homeless
http://www.teleport.com/~loucc/homeless.html
This site provides information about the Ministry’s services, clientele, and programs. Contact information as well as volunteer opportunities are provided.
This site provides information about NADO’s training sessions, informational services, research projects, legislative policy and advocacy, publications, and an immense list of housing and development related links.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Index / Periodical, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
National Association of Home Builders
http://www.nahb.com/
This site provides information about building products, conferences and events, financing, remodeling, new construction, and other issues related to home-building. Becoming a member of NAHB gives you additional access to their online resources. This site also includes information about the newly formed, NAHB-sponsored National Council of the Housing Industry.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Index / Periodical, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
This site is home to the NAHRO whose mission is to be “the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans, particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes.” The site includes information about membership, publications, conferences, seminars, affordable housing and HOME, and an excellent links page. Becoming a member of NAHB gives you additional access to their online resources.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
Striving to create “communities that work for everyone and promote the principles of collaborative problem-solving and consensus-based decision making,” the site for the NCLANR includes information about their programs, surveys, conferences, and publications.
Rating: Informative
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Colorado, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Neighborhood / Community
National Coalition for the Homeless
http://nch.ari.net/
This is a site from one of the United States’ foremost national advocacy networks for ending homelessness. Especially notable here is a narrative describing one family’s path into homelessness, and the Coalition’s searchable database of bibliographic resources available for purchase. Also included are facts about homelessness, links to current legislation and policy issues on the topic, a directory of state and national organizations on homelessness, upcoming conferences, and other useful resources.
The purpose of this organization is to “assess the condition of civic engagement in the United States today and to propose specific actions — to be undertaken by the public, private, and voluntary sectors as well as by individuals — that could improve this condition.” Their website includes information about their governmental members, session transcripts, newsletters, and a healthy list of links to national and local community-based organizations.
Rating: Informative
Location: College Park, Maryland, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Maryland, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
National Community Reinvestment Coalition
http://www.ffhsj.com/fairlend/ncrc.htm
This site, on the Fair Lending Guide page, is the home of this agency who “seeks to increase fair and equal access to credit and banking services for lower income and minority communities.” Their site includes minimal information about objectives, services, and publications, but contact information is provided.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Special Interest / Minority
National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project
http://nch.ari.net/nhcrop.html
This site details the National Housing Institute’s plan to generate a national network for homelessness advocacy and civil rights. Their mission “to prevent and combat the violation of homeless people’s civil rights focuses on linking homeless individuals and families, and the grassroots efforts that they lead, into a national network in order fortify those local efforts and to strengthen cooperation.” Contact information is provided.
This site focuses on NLHA’s efforts in “dealing with changing political and economic realities of low and moderate income rental housing.” Membership, meeting, and organization information is provided along with a few important housing related links.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted
“The mission of the National Urban League is to assist African Americans in the achievement of social and economic equality.” Their site includes details about their departments, programs, services, publications, events, sponsors, and employment opportunities.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority
Neighborhoods Online
http://libertynet.org/community/phila/natl.html
This searchable site is an “online resource center for people working to build strong communities throughout the United States” whose “aim is to provide fast access to information and ideas covering all aspects of neighborhood revitalization.” The site details issues related to, and programs dealing with, neighborhoods, cities, community development, education, crime, employment, environment, health and human services.
Rating: Informative
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Pennsylvania, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy, Neighborhood / Community
This site is home to a trade association which details the benefits of passive solar energy as a method of cooling and heating efficiently. Details of energy efficient homes are included as well as information, resources, and links regarding lowering housing construction and maintenance costs as a result of incorporating green building methods in the design.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
This site is home to “an association of professionals, activists, academics, and students involved in physical, social, economic and environmental planning in urban and rural areas, who promote fundamental change in their political and economic system.” Included are working papers, case studies, and membership information.
Rating: Informative
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, New York, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Affordable / Assisted, Legal / Policy, Special Interest / Minority, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable, Neighborhood / Community
Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA)
This site is home to PHADA, a professional trade association of Public Housing Authority officials. Information about their publications, membership, meetings, conferences, and other scheduled events is provided, as well as information about welfare reform, related housing concerns, and similar websites.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Affordable / Assisted, Fair housing, Legal / Policy
This site is the “technology home page for local governments,” providing membership, publications and news information, as well as links to related sites, employment listings, archives, and organization missions and goals.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Legal / Policy
This searchable site is the online home of this network aimed at improving “the energy efficiency of the nation’s housing stock and to qualify more American families for home ownership by expanding the availability of home energy ratings and energy mortgages.” Their site includes mortgage, energy efficiency, and membership directories and information.
Rating: Informative
Location: Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Alaska, National, Membership Group, Index / Periodical, Affordable / Assisted, Environmental / Sustainable
Solstice — Center for Renewable Environment and Sustainable Technology
http://solstice.crest.org/index.shtml
This site details energy efficiency, renewable energy and provides a variety of sustainable technology information. Information on reducing energy usage, and increasing affordability is included, as well as links to related sites.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
This site details Southface’s education and research in energy, building science, environmental technologies, low-cost housing, and energy efficient methods of construction. Their innovative Homebuilding School is also described.
Rating: Recommended
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Georgia, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Construction / Product, Design / Architectural, Environmental / Sustainable
This site details site inspection, home mortgages, ongoing legislation, flood insurance, contract reviews and similar ownership topics. Information is also provided about home improvements, remodeling kitchens and baths, landscaping and gardening, and buying and selling your home.
Rating: Informative
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, District of Columbia, National, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Legal / Policy, Design / Architectural, Neighborhood / Community
This site has a very easy to use database of their agencies, services, programs, and local news, including housing agencies and services in the area.
Rating: Informative
Location: Champaign, Illinois, USA
Related pages: USA, USA, Illinois, State / Regional / Local, Membership Group, Non-Profit Organization, Affordable / Assisted, Disability Concern, Special Interest / Minority
With a mission to “provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment,” ULI and its website strive to provide ample information to members, officials, and the public about urban planning, growth, and development. Information on this site includes conference, meeting and event dates, a continuing education database, research agendas, project reference files (you must be a member to have access to full text files), their online bookstore, and an extensive resource directory.