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HACKATHON
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2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING
HACKATHON | EVENT SUMMARY
WHAT IS A HACKATHON?
The Cleveland Housing Hackathon was an immense
success. Students, entrepreneurs, and representatives
from notable organizations and agencies spanning across
multiple sectors partook in the Hackathon. That said,
what exactly is a Hackathon?
A Hackathon is a social coding event – framed in the form
of a competition that challenges participants to think
deeper about the theme of the event. For the Cleveland
Housing Hackathon, the theme was housing access, as
it pertained to Cuyahoga County residents receiving a
housing voucher under the federally funded Housing
Choice Voucher Program (HCVP).
Teams pose alongside the Cleveland Housing Hackathon
organizers.
In reference to data and research primarily done by
the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State
University (CSU), voucher holders, despite participating
in a program, which encourages county-wide mobility,
oftentimes reside in areas that are heavily concentrated
with high crime and poverty.
The Cleveland Housing Hackathon examined mobility as
it pertained to education, wellness, transportation, and
internet connectivity.
WELCOME
Tech-savvy young professionals attend Hackathons to
leverage their problem solving skills for the greater good.
On Friday, April 7, at 10:30 a.m., the Cleveland Housing
Hackathon kicked-off with remarks by the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
(CMHA), Jeffery K. Patterson.
CEO Patterson thanked co-hosts: Digital C and CSU for
their instrumental role in planning and executing the
event. He also graciously thanked sponsors for providing
much-needed funds and memorabilia to make the
Cleveland Housing Hackathon a “truly remarkable event.”
CEO Patterson challenged Hackathon participants to really
dig deep in understanding issues surrounding housing
mobility – taking note of the main tracks: education,
wellness, transportation, and internet connectivity. On
internet connectivity, Patterson stated, “Internet has
become essential to a home, just like a refrigerator or
stove.”
Patterson also thanked U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) representatives for attending
and agreeing to speak on panels.
CMHA Chief Executive Officer Jeffery K. Patterson
welcomes participants to the Cleveland Housing Hackathon.
clehousinghack.org | #clehousinghack 1
2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING HACKATHON EVENT SUMMARY
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PANEL
CMHA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Carolyn Gaiter
introduced the first panelists: HCVP Director Latweeta
Smyers, CMHA Commissioner Nadine Head, HCVP Deputy
Director Jane Nichols, and HUD Representative Steve
Knotts.
Director Smyers spoke first, referencing key facts and
figures related to CMHA stating, “CMHA is the 7th largest
housing authority in America. We assist over 55,000
residents. When it comes to housing, we’ve seen it all.”
When asked to speak more about the HCVP process,
Deputy Director Nichols methodically stated, “First,
you need to apply to be added to the waitlist, if your
name is chosen in the lottery, you receive a position on
the waitlist. It generally takes clients approx. 150 days
to find housing. But HUD only gives holders 120 days.
Once housing is located, CMHA does an inspection and
the contract rent is determined. Annual inspections and
recertification are performed every year thereafter.
Generally, units do not pass inspections on the first round
and that prolongs the process.”
CMHA COO Carolyn Gaiter addresses the crowd from the
podium as panelists wait to start the discussion.
HUD Representative Steve Knotts, when asked about the
structure of HCVP responded by stating, “HCVP is a unique
partnership between the private and public market.”
SCHOLARLY PERSPECTIVES ON HCVP
CSU’s Levin College was an influential partner in both
organizing the event, as well as providing key insight
into understanding social trends that affect the voucher
process. Dean of the Levin College Dr. Roland Anglin
moderated The Scholarly Perspectives on HCVP Panel that
included Professor Kathy Hexter, Dr. Rosie Tighe, Dr. Brian
Mikelbank, and doctoral student, Ethan Goodman.
HUD Representative Steve Knotts describes the HCVP structure.
Dr. Mikelbank started the discussion by discussing the
scope of the study CSU conducted in conjunction with
CMHA’s voucher data – citing the growth in sheriff sales
and below average growth in rent and household income
from 2000 -2010.
Professor Hexter added insight on understanding the
location decisions of HCVP participants stating, “Minorities
receiving a voucher are three times more likely to live in a
concentrated area facing impoverished conditions.”
Dr. Tighe responded to Professor Hexter’s portion of the
discussion stating, “Voucher holders seldom locate to high
opportunity areas. There really isn’t more choice either.
Even when moving to a different area, discrimination is
still an issue.”
Panelists from CSU pose shortly after the conclusion of their
panel on the voucher program.
clehousinghack.org | #clehousinghack 2
2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING HACKATHON EVENT SUMMARY
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Nina Turner’s Keynote Address catalyzed participants and
stakeholders “to look at cutting edge ways to improve
housing access.” Turner, in an effort to connect more
with participants, abandoned the podium and walked
throughout the crowd to deliver emphatically her point.
“No one desires to be poor and the mission
of this Hackathon is vital.” – Nina Turner
Turner later quoted Shirley Chisolm; a leader, she credits
for strongly influencing her advocacy. “Service is the rent
you pay for room on this earth.”
After her quote, Turner pauses, and then resumes the
Keynote Address saying, “We are going to change so many
lives with what you all come up with. Poverty is not a
crime, we as a nation should be discussing how to help
those that are affected. A zip code should not determine
children’s’ access to competitive education and neither
should the income level of their parents.”
Nina Turner gives a passionate Keynote Address, which
challenged participants to continue to do more for their
community.
Turner closed by referencing her days as a track and field
athlete. Turner explains how she used to run a relay event,
and how this Hackathon was very similar. “This Hackathon
is part of a larger relay race. As we pass the baton from
the older generation to the younger, you have to keep
running, and know that the next generation is depending
on you to run your portion of the relay as hard as you can.
So when you are tired, just know someone is counting on
you.”
HOUSING MOBILITY
After the conclusion of the passionate Keynote Address,
representatives from several organizations and agencies
discussed the crux of the issue of housing mobility.
Panelists included Marvin Hayes, NOACA, Michael Lepley,
HRAC, Khrys Shefton, Famicos Foundation, and Nelson
Beckford, St. Luke’s Foundation. Mark McDermott,
Enterprise Community Partners, moderated the panel.
Lepley opened up the discussion with a brief explanation
of housing mobility stating, “Housing Mobility describes
a person’s ability to choose which neighborhood they
want to live. It is not an argument against place-based
development. The focus is on choice.”
HUD Representative Steve Knotts describes the HCVP structure.
Cleveland City Councilman (Ward 14) Brian Cummins listens
intensely to the Keynote Address.
Beckford followed up Lepley’s segment with a
presentation on the concept of place attachment. Later,
Beckford discussed factors that impact one’s decision to
love where they live.
Hayes expounded on the intersection between housing and
transportation; in addition, Hayes delicately explained
the issue of spatial mismatch in Cleveland, citing the
damaging effects it has on the community.
Shefton closed the panel discussion by emphasizing
value and place. Shefton summarized the goal of housing
mobility saying, “Housing mobility should be protecting
value and allowing access for all.”
Members of the Housing Mobility panel pose after the
discussion.
clehousinghack.org | #clehousinghack 3
2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING HACKATHON EVENT SUMMARY
CIVIC HACKING
Seth Pinckney and Adrian Sims represented HackCLE
– giving a dynamic presentation on the value of civic
hacking.
The duo first provided an overview of the history of civic
hackathons, and examples of viable products that have
come from them. Sims stated Civic Hackathons should
focus on “being intersectional, inclusive, and intentional.”
Pinckney acknowledged the connection civic hacking
creates between social justice, technology and open data.
Pinckney closed the discussion by giving participants two
critical tips to procuring success at Hackathons: “Make
your idea sustainable. And remember, civic hacking work is
a seed; don’t try to make it a tree.”
HCVP & FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Seth Pinckney of HackCLE explains the value of civic hacking in
Cleveland.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program and Family SelfSufficiency (FSS) panel gave Hackathon participants a
compelling look at the nuances voucher participants face
while attempting to obtain affordable housing.
Ana Santiago, manager of the FSS Program at CMHA started
the discussion with an overview of the FSS program,
emphasizing why it was created. Santiago stated, “I’m
glad HUD saw the need to fund a program like this. Who
doesn’t want to be self-sufficient?” Santiago expressed
additional praise for the program saying: “FSS is a great
program our residents utilize to help them reach new
heights. We teach them financial stability, how to obtain
jobs, and ultimately, how to be self-sufficient.”
After both CMHA and HUD representatives offered added
insight to the discussion on self-sufficiency, actual voucher
participants within the program captivated the audience
with telling stories. All of the participants got back to
the central idea – mobility and the lack of county-wide,
affordable housing in Cleveland is a complex problem
worth solving.
HUD Representatives, CMHA Staff, and FSS Participants pose
after the panel.
MARKETPLACE & TEAM FORMATION
After the FSS panel, engaged participants made their way
to a circle formed by Neighborhood Connections’ Tony
Vento. Vento’s energy contagiously spread throughout the
circle, as participants began taking part in what Vento
referred to as “Marketplace.”
The Marketplace is a high energy, 20 to 30 minute
exercise that brings to life our interconnectedness by
acknowledging that we all have gifts and we all have
value.
Vento’s facilitation broke the ice and set the precedent
for a thought-provoking evening full of civic hacking and
critical discussion.
Neighborhood Connections’ Tony Vento facilitates the team
formation session.
clehousinghack.org | #clehousinghack 4
2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING HACKATHON EVENT SUMMARY
ALL-NIGHTERS
Thanks to stellar security provided by Cleveland State
University, teams had the option to work throughout the
night in order to have a viable product by the conclusion
of the event Saturday afternoon.
DIGITAL INCLUSION
The Digital Inclusion panel was the first and last panel
Saturday morning to close the event.
The discussion was guided by Q&A sessions that lead to
a very insightful conversation about digital inclusion in
Cleveland. Pictured to the right, the panel consisted of:
Donald Butler, CMHA, Felton Thomas, Cleveland Public
Library, Delores Gray, CMHA, Bill Callahan, Connect You
Community & the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Leon
Wilson, The Cleveland Foundation.
Teams diligently work throughout the night.
Panelists proposed multiple solutions to bridging the
digital divide; key ones being: boost public sector
engagement, make more sustainable community-wide
decisions, increase outreach (in reference to access and
training), and make digital literacy intergenerational.
Leveraging community assets such as the public libraries
and CMHA properties, which are both evenly spread out
in the area was another topic discussed in bridging the
divide.
CMHA amongst other agencies have connected many
Clevelanders with access, training and/or devices. The
panel all agreed that there are still many more people left
to connect and this will only come about through multiagency collaborations.
Digital Inclusion panelists smile after an inspiring conversation
on Digital infrastructure and civic technology in Cleveland.
PRESENTATIONS
Eleven teams presented a variety of solutions to solve the
issues discussed by panels on Friday. Solutions ranged from
a carpooling website for parents to an SMS-based text
messaging system that helps voucher recipients find homes
based on their preferences. Following presentations,
Jeff Patterson, CMHA, and Leon Wilson, The Cleveland
Foundation, lead the prize ceremony.
•
Best Use of Transportation Data: StOhio
•
Best Use of Wellness Data: VendiLife
•
Best Use of Education Data: Team Anshu
•
Top Technical Solution: LandLord Watch
•
Top Idea: Humans of CLE
•
Best Use of Connectivity & Best Overall Solution: CWRU Housing
To watch and hear more about the solutions that were
presented please check out the recorded livestream at
https://clehousinghack.org/media.
Cleveland City Councilman (Ward 14) Brian Cummins listens
intensely to the Keynote Address.
Teams and the community begin filtering in the auditorium to
attend the competition pitching process to the judges.
clehousinghack.org | #clehousinghack 5
2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING HACKATHON EVENT SUMMARY
THANK YOU!
We offer a sincere thanks to all
of our sponsors, partners, and
participants. This event could
not have happened without your
efforts. Housing Mobility will not
be solved overnight. We have a
long way to go, and through the
Cleveland Housing Hackathon,
we will continue to address the
social inequalities that exist in
order to forge a sustainable,
equitable, and innovative model
of communal success.
clehousinghack.org | #clehousinghack 6
2017 CLEVELAND HOUSING HACKATHON
By the numbers
1
3
FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND
PLANNING
PARTNERS
Housing Hackathon
150+
PARTICIPANTS
11 TEAMS
7
30
speakers
PRIZES $10,000+
10 Sponsors
#CLEHOUSINGHACK
ONE CHALLENGE
SOLVE HOUSING MOBILITY ISSUES
OPEN
DATA