2019 Challenge Winner

ACCESS (Affordable College & Career Education Starts with Saving)

Problem

In many cities across the country, the zip code you’re born in is the most predictive factor in the health, wealth, and life outcomes you can expect. This uneven playing field can manifests in your ability to attend college and lifetime earnings. Lack of access to post-secondary training decreases the likelihood of attaining a good-paying job and supporting a family. Even after receive advanced training, the debt incurred may keep prosperity out of reach. Young people from lower-income families have an especially difficult time saving for college, because the financial status of the family may not lend itself to supporting their education. The price of admission reinforces the barriers that young people face in exiting poverty.

Solution

Columbus is piloting ACCESS, a program to address financial barriers that keep lower-income youth from achieving a post-secondary education. Through the Recreation and Parks Department’s Applications for Purpose, Pride, and Success (APPS) program, youth ages 14-24 receive a job along with leadership and professional development, financial education, and mentoring. Through the pilot eligible youth will also have access to an Individual Development Account (IDA) where up to $500 in savings will be matched 8:1 with a combination of City, private, and federal dollars, for a total of $4,500. Participants can use the funds for any eligible educational expense, including earning a certificate, to seek a four-year degree, or learn a trade.

Creating Portable Benefits

Problem

When people are employed as part-time workers or independent contractors, they are less likely to have access to traditional benefits and more likely to face financial and personal stress. American workers have traditionally relied upon their employers to provide the social guarantees that allow individuals and families to prosper, including health insurance, workers compensation, retirement plans, paid sick leave, life insurance, etc. However, as employers embrace the “gig economy” and move to hiring independent contractors and other non-traditional workers, benefits are no longer required or provided. Due to the instability that is inherent to so much of their work, non-traditional workers have a serious need for workplace benefits.

Solution

To establish a fund that allows policy experimentation to see what works in order to ensure the dignity and security for workers and their families in a rapidly changing economy. The purpose of my bill, An Act establishing portable benefits for independent workers innovation fund, does just that. It establishes a statewide program that will encourage employers and organizations to find innovative ways to provide this growing independent workforce with access to many of the social insurance protections that are typically provided to workers through traditional full-time employment.

Resilient Zoning Code for a Coastal Community

Problem

Norfolk, a community with 144 miles of coast line, home to the largest naval base in the world and one of the busiest seaports in the country, is experiencing sea level rise, sinking land and more intense precipitation events, a combination which requires us to actively address flooding. Because of climate change, we are now planning for 1.5’ of sea level rise by 2050, 3’ by 2080 and 4.5’ by 2100. Tidal flooding is now regularly inundating areas, even on sunny days, referred to now as “nuisance flooding.” Because of climate change and increased and more intense precipitation, “rain bombs” are now dumping inches of rain in a short period of time, creating chaos and flooding that damages our structures.

Solution

Recognizing that Norfolk needs to learn to “live with the water,” we updated our zoning code to encourage and require flood-resilient development:
• elevated building requirements (between 16” to 3’ above base flood elevation)
• a Coastal Resilience Overlay (limited parking and impervious pavement, additional landscaping and open space); Upland Resilience Overlay (reduction of resilience requirements allowed in exchange for placing conservation easements on higher-risk properties)
• a “Resilient Quotient,: a point-based system for new development to mitigate risk (e.g. impact resistant roof and windows, storm shutters), sustainable energy (e.g. wiring for solar panel or generator); and stormwater (holding water on site after precipitation).

Transit Corridor Opportunity Program (TCOP)

Problem

Underutilized corridors, last-mile connections or access to reliable transportation, affordable housing production, employment opportunity, and a ready workforce is a challenge for many communities. These issues are interdependent yet approached individually. Therefore, lacks a comprehensive solution that can help mitigate the systemic issue.

Solution

A program that incentivise or allows inclusionary zoning for economic and housing development in transit corridors, promotes balanced and integrated walkable/bikeable communities that provides access to affordable housing, transportation, and develops, attracts and retains talent, reduce pollution and promote workforce stability and healthier lifestyle by: Promoting private and public partnerships to increase housing and economic development, Inclusionary Zoning for Small Business and housing, and maintain mix-income housing and development in focus areas supported by high level of transit service. TCOP would help reduce transportation cost for both employee and employer and improve communities economic and housing opportunities.

West Sacramento On-Demand: Mobility for All

Problem

West Sacramento On-Demand was developed as an early implementation item of the City’s Mobility Action Plan, which aims to enhance transit, create multi-modal hubs, and leverage smart technology investments. In recent years, transit ridership has declined while costs have risen and the bus simply hasn’t competed with the expediency of other modes. Mounting community feedback demanded more convenient transit options. Concurrently, residents in the City’s transit-oriented Riverfront remained reluctant to give up personal cars due to a lack of transit alternatives, resulting in parking demand challenges. West Sacramento was also concerned about impacts of limited mobility on a growing senior population, like social isolation.

Solution

West Sacramento On-Demand brings convenience and a high quality user experience to the previously underserved or transit dependent, while preserving critical social functions of public transit by safeguarding accessibility across ages, incomes and abilities. Via’s state-of-the-art technology balances speed of service with optimized vehicle occupancies, using a smart algorithm to predict demand and pick up multiple passengers along the way. Using “virtual bus stops”, riders walk up to 500 feet to meet their vehicle, but curb-to-curb and wheelchair accessible service remains available for those who need it. By offering rides for just $3.50, or $1.75 for seniors and disabled riders, the service improves access to critical daily amenities.

ACCESS (Affordable College & Career Education Starts with Saving)

Problem

Solution

Creating Portable Benefits

Problem

Solution

Resilient Zoning Code for a Coastal Community

Problem

Solution

Transit Corridor Opportunity Program (TCOP)

Problem

Solution

West Sacramento On-Demand: Mobility for All

Problem

Solution

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