COMMUNITY FACTS:

26% of Takoma Park residents are foreign born

46% of Long Branch residents are foreign born

based on estimates from the American Community Survey 2005-2009

Takoma Park and Long Branch Priority Goals

What are the top priorities that should drive our community improvement efforts over the next five years?  CHEER recently asked this question of about 40 community leaders representing the diversity of Takoma Park and Long Branch.  From a list of 22 goals related to housing, health, and the local economy that community members have set, four major long term concerns stand out:  (1) Employment opportunity.  (2) Health Care Access and Equity, (3) Housing Affordability, and (4) Neighborhood engagement and connections.  Strong concerns were also expressed for creating safe and comfortable spaces for people to interact and for promoting local businesses. Read More »

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Recent CHEER Accomplishments and Plans

2011 was a fabulous year for CHEER and 2012 will be even better.  Below are the Details of our recent accomplishments, plans, and volunteer needs. Read More »

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Takoma Park Voters Talk About Change

CHEER asked voters in the Takoma Park City elections in November, “What do you think is the most important change needed in your community?” This open-ended question drew responses from 136 voters. Read More »

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IDEA JAM: How do we sustain our diverse Takoma Park community?

CHEER held its first idea jam on November 17, 2011 on the income gap in Takoma Park.  After reviewing the statistics documenting a 50% increase in high income households, a 15% loss of middle income households, and a stable number of low income households over the last decade, the discussion began with the question “How does the income gap affect Takoma Park?”  All twenty-one attendees participated in a lively and substantial exchange.  Part way through Tebabu Assefa reframed the question in a much more useful way: “How do we sustain our diverse community?” Read More »

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Takoma Park Income Gap Is Growing

Over the past decade, Takoma Park has changed from a community able to support families with a range of incomes to one with higher property values, a larger number of higher-income families, and a smaller number of middle income families. Read More »

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