My Nonprofit Reviews

I first crossed paths with PLACE when living in an apartment next door to a future PLACE development. I had noticed that the abandoned building next to my apartment was in the process of being demolished, and, one day, I received an email from my property management company regarding the activity going on next door.

I read all about PLACE as an organization and the community it was looking to build. I identified strongly with the PLACE mission and was entirely impressed by the unique vision and innovative approach of the organization. As a lawyer and urban planner with something to contribute, I wanted to help.

I reached out to PLACE, and a member of the PLACE Team, Alice, responded. I eventually met Alice and the rest of the PLACE Team and, now being entirely impressed by its people, I began to volunteer my time. I dove right in, and, now, I am a permanent member of the PLACE Team.

I think what PLACE does best is leverage alliances, efficiencies, and innovations to create opportunities not just for affordable housing but for affordable living. For example, for one development currently underway, PLACE is leveraging a diversified portfolio of funding sources, transportation amenities (e.g., access to light rail and stipends for car-free living), and innovations in renewable energy—e.g., wind turbines, solar arrays, and food-waste-to-energy facilities—to produce cumulative cost-of-living savings for its residents.

The PLACE Team is a unique combination of professionals in law, planning, architecture, development, and community engagement, among other things. I can attest that the individuals who make up the PLACE Team are passionate about creating beautiful, vibrant, healthy, connected, and affordable state-of-the-art communities for people of all incomes, abilities, and backgrounds.