Author: jcrites

I have a strong interest and passion for helping those who have the least. In the last five years, I have worked in housing policy at the Tacoma and Seattle Housing Authorities in Washington State. I am currently a German Chancellor Fellow researching best practices in affordable housing in Germany.

What Social Housing Companies Can Learn from Germany about Training and Developing Employees

A year into working with social housing professionals in Germany, I can say there is a lot to be learned.  I want to focus on something that Germany does extremely well which is training and developing young talent to take on the future responsibilities of running and operating different aspects of an industry.  For our… Read More What Social Housing Companies Can Learn from Germany about Training and Developing Employees

jcritesLeave a comment

The Regulator’s View: An Interview with the Dutch Housing Regulator

Background: The Centraal Fonds Volkshuisvesting (CFV) is the regulating body for Dutch Social Housing. I spoke with Daphne Braal-Verhoog the Director and Geraldien Bruin Manager of the Department of Policy and Legal Counsel to discuss both their roles and the future of the housing industry in the Netherlands especially in light of the new rules.… Read More The Regulator’s View: An Interview with the Dutch Housing Regulator

jcritesLeave a comment

Woonbond: Representing the Tenants of the Netherlands

Woonbond is a large tenants rights organization based in Amsterdam. The company considers itself the voice of renters from throughout the country. More than half of the residents in social housing are somehow connected to Woonbond through its membership and advocacy. That’s more than 1.5 million members or 53% of all tenants in Holland. Woonbond’s… Read More Woonbond: Representing the Tenants of the Netherlands

jcrites1 Comment

A Brief Explanation of Changes in Dutch Social Housing from July 1st 2015

Recently I met with the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations. The discussion revolved around changes in the social housing industry and what roles will change starting July 1st. The department within the Ministry focuses on the entire housing market including owner occupied housing, social housing and the private market. Both Roger and Simone work… Read More A Brief Explanation of Changes in Dutch Social Housing from July 1st 2015

jcritesLeave a comment

Social Housing in the Growth City of Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt is a city without any particular focus on developing or providing social and affordable housing.  Outside of the typical funding mechanisms available to those willing to develop affordable housing, the city has no real plan.  Even without a a solid strategy, the city continues to develop a decent number of affordable units in comparision… Read More Social Housing in the Growth City of Ingolstadt

jcritesLeave a comment

Social Housing in Berlin: The Sexy City That is No Longer Poor

Berlin is known as a dynamic city with reasonable costs of living compared to other European capitals.  Because of this reputation, Berlin’s population over the last decade grew while inflicting new pressures on the increasingly tight housing market.  Once a city where a flat could be had for a few hundred euro’s a month is… Read More Social Housing in Berlin: The Sexy City That is No Longer Poor

jcritesLeave a comment

Deliberate Civic Engagement: Are You Doing Enough?

My fellowship year has allowed me to participate in dozens of interesting meetings and programs.  Recently a door opened that allowed me to observe an ongoing transatlantic dialog between Germany and the USA.  Through connections at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Bundesinstitut fur Bau-Stadt und Raumforschung, I received an invitation to… Read More Deliberate Civic Engagement: Are You Doing Enough?

jcritesLeave a comment