BHBO Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, March 19, 4:30-6:30 pm
Zoom ~ Free
Register below and a link will be sent to you!
Join the BIPOC Home and Business Ownership (BHBO) project crew as we unveil a resource guide highlighting local orgs in the Upper Valley ready to boost your homeownership and business dreams! We’ll also introduce other bold solutions brainstormed during the project kick-off in October that will allow you to shape the future of this project, including:
- Capital: unconventional lending options, expanding ownership assistance programs
- Education: about financial resources, debt, and creative forms of ownership
- Zoning: developer incentives for affordable housing, how housing density is affected by water/sewer infrastructure
- Communications: spreading the word about events, opportunities, and resources
The BHBO project supports Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in putting down roots in the Upper Valley. This project was launched in October with a morning of networking, resource sharing, and solutions-centered brainstorming, attended by more than 100 people involved in the homeownership process, local businesses, and social well-being of BIPOC community members. Read about the Kick-Off
The BHBO project emerged in response to the broadly recognized need for the Upper Valley to attract and retain workers and full-time residents to keep its economy vibrant. Many new arrivals are discouraged by the difficulty of finding a home and building a community. This is particularly true for BIPOC community members who – due to the historic marginalization of BIPOC community members and the Upper Valley’s history as a predominantly White area – face unique difficulties in maneuvering the job market, securing housing, establishing businesses, accessing cultural goods, and, above all, experiencing a sense of inclusion and belonging.
The BHBO project is a joint endeavor by community members Conicia “CJ” Jackson and Julius Turner, Vital Communities, and Mascoma Bank. Thanks as well to all the funding partners that support the full range of programs at Vital Communities!