How would you improve your community?
Housing: Affordable, safe housing is crucial for healthy communities. Where I live and around the world, many young people have given up believing they will ever have their own home. Too many families are struggling to find an affordable home whether that’s rental or to buy. When people give up hope communities fall apart.
Each time I go past a large parcel of vacant land near my house I picture a beautiful well-designed complex of low-rise buildings with lush gardens and communal spaces. I would love for this to be a mix of apartments in various sizes such as studios, 1 and 2 beds. These would be affordable to purchase and run by a cooperative. It’s utopian but hey, we have to dream. 
Connection: Social scientists and philosophers talk about a ‘third place.’ This is referring to a place we can go that isn’t home and isn’t work, a place we feel comfortable and welcome. For me, this is anywhere my local writing community is gathered. It’s also the Yoga Centre I have been attending for years. I have also been going to a gym for three years and while I’m not much of a gym person, it is a place I feel welcome, comfortable and safe.
We all need a third place where we can meet like-minded people and have a bit of fun. I would love to create a space where writing and art/craft groups could meet and hold book launches poetry and open mic nights. 
Beauty: I live in a naturally beautiful place but the built environment leaves a lot to be desired. I wish for my community that we were surrounded by a built environment that matched the beauty of the beaches and hinterland.
Positive connection and affordable housing lead to people loving their local area and therefore taking care of it. I would love to encourage people to beautify the local area.
Big dreams, I know.
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