Sustainable and Inclusive Housing for All

For November, we’re featuring Conicia Jackson, JD, founder of Addison Development Group, which works to bring sustainable housing to underserved communities. Lucretia and Conicia met in a business incubator, Grow.co, where Lucretia had the opportunity to hear Conicia share her passion for sustainable, inclusive development. 

As the weather grows cold, many of us are retreating into our homes to spend time with our families. We invite you to read Conicia’s perspective and think about how it resonates with your experience of home and community.

How did you decide to focus on community development after obtaining your law degree? 

I actually went into law knowing that I wanted to focus on community development. After years of working in a corporate environment, I decided to leave my job in finance to focus on an issue that I felt was extremely important to society, which is the health of our communities. 

How did you find yourself in rural New Hampshire after growing up in East St. Louis? 

A friend of mine told me about an organization that aids minority students with gaining access to law school. Years went by before I applied, but I still remembered the organization. Eventually, I decided to check it out. I'm happy that I did! Because of the organization and the programs that it offered, I was able to fulfill a dream of mine, which was to become a lawyer. Vermont Law School happened to be one of the schools that they partnered with in helping BIPOC students enter law school. VLS offered me a scholarship to attend, and my daughter and I packed our things and drove from St. Louis to Vermont to settle into our new life. After living in Bethel for a couple of years, we eventually moved to Lyme to be closer to my daughter's school. 

What have you learned about the idea of community by comparing these hometowns? 

We are all in the same boat in terms of wanting the same things:to feel safe, connected, and happy. Ultimately, people want a good place to raise their families and a community that allows them to thrive. If you are single and young,   you aspire to grow and build a future. Housing is such an interesting topic because it is so personal and yet so regulated by supply and demand , as well as personal preference. 

What steps would you like to see public entities like zoning boards take? 

Today, everyone is moving towards these restrictive models. In a way, I understand that there has to be a level of control and order in the communities, however, I believe that these restrictive measures have placed a heavy burden on the younger generations to figure out how they can afford to live in certain communities. It is especially difficult for those who do not come from generational wealth to live in certain communities where zoning is tight. They are essentially blocked out. I would like for public entities to be more cognizant of the needs of the younger generations and ask questions like, "How can we make housing more attainable for younger people?" or "What strategies can we employ to aid younger people, and the BIPOC community with obtaining housing in desirable communities?" There needs to be more of a focus on hearing the needs of people in the community, and actually implementing the ideas. 

What steps do you want to see from the private sector? 

I believe in public-private partnerships, but they have to be the right types of partners. The private sector has a lot of influence and can actually have a huge impact on the direction of community development. I would like to see the private sector step up and take more of a community-centered focus, especially in underserved communities. Many private companies are in a position to give a substantial portion of their profits and resources towards community development efforts. 

And what do you recommend to individuals who want to make a difference? 

To find your purpose. Find that thing that makes you happy and is worth getting up every day to tackle. Also, develop a strategy to accomplish your goals and stay the course. Find a network of like-minded people who share the same passion and ideals. 

Want to support Conicia and the work of Addison Development Group? Click here to learn more about how you can engage with their mission.