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Updated 5/2024: I am adding Community Land Trust as a possible overarching framework for Sustainable Lives. As I have written this over many years, new information will be after [[MM/YYYY] and enclosed in a brackets.]
[[05/2024] Community Land Trusts
The nit and grit, the nuts and bolts of community land trusts are complicated. The research (some of which I will add to the references page) is not well defined. Community land trusts fall somewhere between land and building infrastructure, economics and social justice. Community land trusts make sense for Sustainable Lives because it is a solution to keep housing affordable for people working full time jobs in poor cities. Community land trusts may be an option to bring housing under the control of a benevolent organization (landlord) driven by community involvement. This is a new way of thinking about creating and sustaining affordable housing.
The sustainable lives houses can be a part of community land trusts, serving the purpose of providing well governed entry points to renting/owning building assets in a market that is being driven by wealth building interests i.e. buying, flipping, reselling housing, buying multiplexes with the idea of making more money, forced evicting to upsell apartments, gentrification.
The housing market is complex. Part of the issue is not having enough housing stock. Part of the issue is not preserving housing stock that does exist. Part of the problem is the rental/mortgage opportunities for low wage workers is challenged in a market being driven by wealth building interests. This highlights a difference in ideology: is housing a human right, or is it a privilege.
Community land trusts bring an organization, board of directors and community members together to preserve land and buildings for the community. The organization owns the land while individuals may own the buildings on the land; and are leasing the land. Land leases are often structured for long periods of time, 99 years is common. These leases are typically transferable from one generation to another. Rules of the individual community land trust dictate what can be done with the leased land. Typically in an ownership position, the individual can do what they like with the land so long as it does not violate the lease conditions. For instance, the lease might suggest you cannot turn green space into a parking lot, subdivide the property for rental income, or sell to individuals who will not owner occupy.
Community land trusts can exist in urban and rural environments. The key difference between community land trusts and conservation land trusts is development of the land. Community land trusts are typically developed land (hosting factories, retail shops, housing, apartment buildings, warehouses, farmland etc.), while conservation land trusts are land in its natural element. Some community land trusts have experimented with blending their trust with conservation land trusts. Conservation land trusts are usually taken more seriously, presumably, the blended structure strengthens the legal standing of the trust.
There are limits to community land trusts for residents. Renting or owning with a community land trust lease may not be for everyone. This concept does come with limitations; however, its strengths support ideals of social justice and providing housing stock to individuals in low income brackets. They can help families build wealth. They can help communities compete with the wealth building interests of those in the real estate sphere.
As a concept, Sustainable Lives is committed to building sustainable lives; that includes communities, families, individuals, local infrastructure, local means of production, and strengthening local economy. Community land trusts fit within this scope. Community land trusts may preserve communities by allowing the industry and labor of local community members, and the wealth that follows, within the community.]
The core unit of Sustainable Lives – The Sustainable Lives Houses
The infographic was an easy means of explaining how Sustainable Lives is meant to function. The numbers created are arbitrary and must be developed on a project by project basis. See the infographic.
The Underlying Concept
Sustainable Lives is designed to bring people, information and ideas together to improve sustainability of individuals in society. Sustainable Lives is aimed at creating solutions to social problems in ways people haven’t; or haven’t scaled before. Sustainable Lives is meant to fill some of the gaps between private sector commerce and government sector social services in a way which allows individuals to build skills and become self sustainable.
Sustainable Lives is a continually evolving idea which I have been working on for the past fifteen years. The fundamental ideas for Sustainable Lives’ ideas are found in a number of books and resources which can be found on the references page. For information on philosophy and development of Sustainable Lives I wrote Philosophy and Development of Sustainable Lives.
This functions as a social philosophy for sustainable lives. Another key document is a slide show I’ve been developing called Reimagining Poverty.
One of the original features of this site was write share; however, I removed it for simplicities sake. Anyone can write for the blog. Contact me if you are interested. There are minimal criteria to include decent grammar usage, apolitical and areligious work. All articles need to be properly sourced. I would like to see articles which answer questions of sustainability in any of the following areas: individual and society, energy, transportation, food systems, housing, medical systems, mobility, communications, projects, programs, business and finance.
Beyond the front page synopsis of Sustainable Lives as an entity or idea, there will be a number of documents which are being worked on in the back ground to include business models and business plans which are necessary to run a non-profit entity.
Synopsis of Sustainable Lives
A person needs access to three things in order to walk a path toward sustainable health and wellness.
- learning/education
- social/emotional support
- economic stability/credit/grants
Sustainable Lives is focused on creating access to these through human to human interaction.
The Idea
Vision
To eliminate poverty by creating equal access to a sustainable model which is designed to promote self directed growth toward the health of self and society.
Purpose
Offer members of Sustainable Lives access to resources which foster self directed development toward sustainable health and happiness.
Mission
Decrease the barriers faced by individuals who are interested in creating a healthy and sustainable lives; by:
Creating access to basic human needs.
Creating autonomous sustainability of individual in society with access to finance, learning and emotional support.
Offering emotional support mechanisms in order to increase the tolerance of individuals to the work involved in creating sustainable lives.
Offering learning tools to gain necessary knowledge and skills which are building blocks along the way to building sustainable lives.
Monetize access to human needs and autonomous sustainability of individual in society by creating financially sound business entities that meet these needs.
Philosophical Tenants
Health and Well Being of Individual.
Health and Well Being of Society as a Whole.
Sustainability in individual and society, energy, transportation, food systems, housing, medical systems, mobility, communications, projects, programs, business and finance.
If the ability to garner economic resources through basic employment is not possible (minimum wage cannot be increased to a livable standard), then, the cost of living must be driven downward. This is one of the core philosophical tenants of Sustainable Lives. We must also have sustainability in our infrastructure, institutions and homes.
Premises
Sustainable Lives attempts to help individuals create sustainable lives. Part of that work always includes bringing dreams into reality.
In order to realize one’s dream their human needs must be met.
Sustainable Lives list these needs as:
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Medical Care
- Mobility
- Communication
- Emotional Support
In order to realize one’s dream the individual must be able to maintain autonomy sustainably in society. This requires access to:
- Economic Stability/Credit/Grants
- Learning/education
- Social/Emotional Support
Funding Sources
Memberships have been an idea which I have gone both ways on. Memberships will either be free or cost $2.00/mo.
Additional fundraising methods will be established as the Sustainable Lives idea becomes a non-profit.
Granting
Sustainable Lives will use micro-granting and granting to fund member projects and businesses.
The primary aim of Sustainable Live’s grants is to help meet the needs of members as they proceed toward economically viable solutions. I encourage individuals to become professionals, tradespersons, artisans, self employed or employed in a way which promotes positive health and wellness.
Learning
Sustainable Lives will utilize a decentralized learning tool which can help a person develop knowledge and skills under the guidance of a mentor. This learning tool set includes reading, writing, math, scientific method, oratory and social/emotional awarenes.
Emotional Support
Listening is a fundamental skill which creates emotional support. Listening is a soft skill which is overlooked outside of helping professions; but should be an integral part of Sustainable Lives culture. Everyone should know how to listen, practice listening and make referrals.
I believe the act of listening has the power to begin a healing process. In programs like Sustainable Lives there are ethical concerns with breaching the boundary between listening and paraprofessional help like coaching, professional help like counseling or giving expert advice like consulting. It is very important that listening is a skill developed by everyone. At the same time it is very important to know how to set boundaries and when to refer someone to another person or service.
Life coaching and mentoring model behavioral learning which help individuals develop an understanding of themselves and others. Learning emotional and social awareness allows a person to develop the maturity necessary to handle personal and professional relationships in a healthy way. It is this sense of understanding which gives a person the courage to face hope and fear with measured optimism.
Coaching/Mentoring
For the purposes of Sustainable Lives, Coaches work on the process of purpose, values, integrity and growth. Because coaches work on process, they don’t have to have the similar experience as their clients – however, the more life experience they have the better off they are. The better coaches are at the process, the better they are at coaching. Mentors have to have been where the individual they are mentoring is going.
Sustainable Lives is meant to use a system called SPARK. Spark is meant to represent the basic tool set of learning:Reading, Writing, Mathematics, History, Scientific Method, Oratory and Emotional and Social Intelligence (or awareness). I wanted to create this tool set for individuals who need to learn industry or business skills but don’t have scholastic skills for traditional learning institutions; or, were not pursuing traditional professions. [October 2022] Additionally, this can bridge the gap between being unprepared for a university environment and becoming prepared for a university environment.
This method of learning allows an individual flexibility in their learning, yet still, avails a mentor to a student. This is also a necessary process for building knowledge and skills to overcome poverty. Even if individuals are not engaged in GED or College courses, they require growth and knowledge to overcome the poverty.
Spark
SPARK is designed to act as a decentralized learning tool. It is not meant to work without the use of a person acting as a mentor. Although individuals could use these learning tools to further their learning it is important to realize that learning without the aid of another human being is limiting.
SPARK is: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, History, Scientific Method, Oratory and Emotional and Social Intelligence (or awareness).
SPARK is meant to operate with a mentor functioning top down; that is, the mentor will look at the overall dreams at hand and devise a strategy to get the individual from where they are to where they are going while improving intellectual, social and emotional skills which impact the individuals probability of success.
SPARK is meant to be a life long learning tool which allow individuals to continue growing and maturing as individuals, bringing greater success and greater satisfaction to their social, emotional and work life.
Funding (This section is under constant review and development)
Members are the back bone of the Sustainable Lives model. The more members there are the more people the Sustainable Lives idea can help.
Membership is free; however, members can also don ate a small fee to help fund the project.
Funding is based on $2.00 a month donations.
Members can donate additional funds if they believe in the work Sustainable Lives is doing. This money can either be donated to the grant fund in whole or split fifty/fifty the way the membership fees are.
All members can receive services. These services are offered at a variety of price scales which are designed to be relative to income.
Members will have the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of ways if they so choose. Qualified members may become employed.
Grants
Philosophy: Giving as a general idea often has a positive affect.
Sustainable Lives creates revenue in part from memberships. Half of this revenue stream goes back to members in the form of grants.
1. Membership buys access to a community of like minded individuals and if you know anything about getting ahead in the world it’s all about who you know.
a. Caveat: the who you know of Sustainable Lives isn’t so much about you getting ahead of others also seeking riches, it’s about getting you in touch with who you need to know to accomplish the objectives you have for living a rich and fulfilling life. So goes the slogan: Live Your Own Dreams.
2. Membership Funds serve as a way to serve the community at large. Even if you’re not immediately receiving funding your supporting other like minded individuals receive funding for their projects. These projects will inevitably feed into the community model which you are a part of. If your dollars don’t come back to you directly they come back to you indirectly.
3. Membership funds are available to you if you wish to go through the process of applying for them. As Sustainable Lives grows, the number and funding size of grants available will grow.
THE OTHER HALF OF MEMBERSHIPS
The other half of the membership goes toward running Sustainable Lives [[10/2022] In Theory]. These dollars are meant to pay for the website community, domain names, marketing materials and staff.
As Sustainable Lives’ memberships grow additional services will be added in accordance with the business plan. A basic overview and order of services to be implemented as Sustainable Lives grows is available on the website.
Poverty Packs
Poverty packs can be information, goods or services. They are meant to be designed and catered on a person by person basis to solve poverty issues which are imminent or create a barrier to sustainability of individual in society.
Micro-Granting
Micro-granting allows giving small amounts of money when achieving the next step is not possible because funding is not available.
Micro-Business
Micro-business is a small business with little regulation which can be operated by one person with limited overhead. A micro business may augment a persons income allowing them live a better life. With proper planning and innovation micro-businesses can develop into larger entities.
Micro Employment
Micro-employment is a process of doing tasks for individuals which may not comprise a full or part time job. Micro-employment creates an opportunity for those who are not yet employable or for those who are trying to add income to a part time or full time job. Micro-employment can also be a method for micro-business owners to gain access to needed tasks they cannot complete on their own or cannot afford a full time employee to complete.
Micro granting, business and employment are a means to raise the overall equity of a poor community. All of these developments are small enough to easily achieve and over time can lead individuals into developing full time businesses or full time jobs
Transportation
Mobility is a basic need. This includes not only the ability of an individual to walk or move from space to space in a given location but also the ability to move from one location to another. The idea here is to provide transportation resources which can help decrease the overall cost of living.
In many cases there are already a lot of systems in many communities which already exist. The hard part becomes: how can we get these services to adequately serve the public while also decreasing the cost of living and producing livable wage employment?
Transportation in communities must not only focus on getting people from point A to point B; but, it must also reduce the distance between point A and B through dense urbanism and increased efficiencies in transportation systems.
Housing (figures updated circa 2024)
[[1/2024] What follows is an argument which outlines the audacity of commonly held ideas about the cost of housing. In some cases people will spend half or three fourths of their income on housing. Increasing housing costs are due to a number of Factors. Two common reasons are housing stock shortfalls and the idea that renting housing is a means to gain wealth. The argument here merely attempts to bring light to the fact that somewhere between 20-50 % of the population may be spending far more than 1/4th of their income on housing. This reality is partly tied to driving down the the costs of labor.]
[[10/2022] The Sustainable Lives concept views housing as a human right. In a complex civilization which still includes economic classes, most especially a lower economic class, it is imperative that the society has a mechanism to provide housing for all. With these beliefs, it is imperative to have diverse approaches to housing. Housing First concepts have been trialed and should be implemented in communities around the nation (US).
Freedom in choice of housing, especially at the lower cost of the spectrum, should be broadened. As such, some exploration of alternative housing concepts including: tent, vehicle, van, boat, tiny house will be explored and involved in the Sustainable Lives concept. It is important that codes and zoning laws are truly about human health and safety, not about classism or racism.]
There are multiple types of housing which are provided for individuals who fall below a certain economic threshold. Sustainable Lives isn’t bout recreating the systems that already exist but filling in some gaps. People should not only have access to affordable housing but they should have access to housing which is in accordance to the 1/4 or 1/3 income rules. I also believe this should be post tax when considering the non-subsidized housing market. I also believe this 1/4 or 1/3 cost should include utilities.
Some of the numbers below do not reflect updates in current minimum wage or increases in housing markets. This can be challenging for a number of different reasons; however, in a city where half of the individuals make less than 30,000 we need half of the housing to be less than 625 a month. I also believe this rate should include utilities. If 20 percent of the people make minimum wage in New York State this is $31,200 – 20% Tax (6240) = 24,960. That means between 20-40% of the housing should cost $360 a month (including utilities).
Currently much of the market supports the idea that housing should cost 1/3 of a persons income [[10/2022] or more.] 1/3 also came up in a conversation I had with some people recently. Again, based on NY state minimum wage: $15.00 (circa 2024) which is $31,200 – 20% Tax (6240) = 24,960. (Same as above). At a 1/3 of this income housing should cost not more than 7,488. Again I believe this should include utilities at least for individuals who make minimum wage. This puts the basic rent at $624 utilities included.
For clarification: I include heat, electricity and water as utilities which should be included. I also think utilities should be included up to a certain usage, over which the tenants pay for additional costs incurred.
This idea is no small order. The key to achieving this goal is embracing varied forms of housing. While many aspire to mansions on hills there are others who aspire to live in smaller, more affordable foot prints. There are many challenges in the US and world when it comes to building Tiny. In most places building Tiny is against code but this does not mean it cannot be done safely. Tiny house code fall somewhere between standard building code and RVIA or RV code. Building smaller more affordable apartments and housing is necessary to overcoming poverty.