On May, 12, 2015, the Regional Board Room hosted Hampton Roads Housing Consortium (HRHC) members and other regional housing professionals for the Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) training sponsored by Housing Virginia. The HRPDC provides staff support and leadership to the HRHC’s efforts to provide a mechanism for networking, consensus building, education and project coordination for governmental, private and non-profit organizations interested in affordable housing issues.

The NIMBY training is part of a comprehensive training series that assists affordable housing providers, local government, and advocates with their efforts in overcoming opposition to their projects and policies. Participants included Local Government, Housing Advocates, Non-profits, Real Estate and Lending Professionals, as well as, Developers and Builders. Training facilitators, Bob Adams and Jonathan Brown, provided helpful instruction on developing an action plan, using and locating accurate data, and creating a transparent message to foster trust.

Participants in the group learned effective steps in developing public comment environments, engaging stakeholders and project champions, and other tips in marketing and advertising projects and initiatives to reduce community fear and opposition.

The NIMBY training also included a "hands-on" exercise where participants worked together on teams in a community development simulation. If you missed this event, additional training opportunities are scheduled throughout the State.  Click here for more information regarding other training opportunities.