Deputy Secretary of HUD Offers Inspiration in Difficult Times

By: Ellen Frick, Outreach Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

This past week, I was fortunate enough to hear Ron Sims, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), give a keynote speech at the Maryland Asset-Building Community-Development (ABCD) network luncheon last week. In his speech about creating sustainable communities, Sims emphasized the connection of so many social issues and problems. For instance, you can’t talk about development without talking about transportation, parks and green space, the environment, homelessness and unemployment. Although tackling these issues from a comprehensive perspective is somewhat overwhelming at times, it is also encouraging to remember that working in one small area can have a positive effect on other issues as well.

Sims pledged that HUD aims to focus more on sustainable urban development. A basic definition of sustainable development is meeting current needs without deterring future generations from doing the same. Sustainability is a word that is thrown around a lot lately in dealing with environmental issues. But it is about more than just the environment – it is about creating vibrant communities that are economically and socially diverse, so that they are viable in the future. Development leaders in Maryland are planning a conference later this month to discuss sustainability, modeled after successful efforts in Washington state. It is important to remember governmental agencies and non-profits cannot promote sustainability on their own; it is going to take community effort.

It can be difficult to think about the future when many of us are struggling to get by from day-to-day. Start off small by making conscientious choices and considering the effects your decisions will have on both current and future generations. Organizing neighborhood clean-ups is one way to make your community an inviting place to be. It is important for visitors to feel as though the residents care about their neighborhood. One community that is showing Baltimore they care is Park Heights, in northwest Baltimore. The residents there host monthly meetings to discuss their local problems and come up with viable solutions. They place emphasis on the individual’s ability to make a difference, and it is working for them.