The Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) is currently undertaking a study to evaluate fair housing throughout the 12 Counties of Northeast Ohio. It is known as a Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. Through a series of Fair Housing Forums, the group is reaching out to each of the 12 counties to collect residents' thoughts on this issue.

Here's the schedule:

March 11
9 a.m. - Summit County, Akron Urban League (President's Hall), 440 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron 


1:30 p.m. - Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (Corporate Offices, Board Room), 8120 Kinsman Road, Cleveland

6 p.m. - Cuyahoga County, Hall of La Sagrada Familia, 7719 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Northeast Ohio residents are generally satisfied with the quality of life in the area and are concerned with job development and decreasing the number of people who live in poverty. On May 30, the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) released the results of a recently completed, public-opinion survey that shows support for sustainability and regional cooperation.

The survey, conducted by TRIAD Research Group, gathered information about the public’s understanding of issues and perceptions of NEOSCC’s work. This is the first survey in a series of three that will be conducted over the next year-and-half. Additionally, NEOSCC has created engagement activities such as the VibrantNEO initiative to move forward with its three-year planning effort to revitalize the 12 counties that comprise Northeast Ohio.

The survey consisted of 802 interviews, 400 by telephone and 402 online. The results from the two survey modes were merged and weighted demographically.  The survey was conducted April 20 to April 27, 2012 and has a margin of error of ± 3.5 percent.

It wasn't your typical Happy Hour crowd at Paolo's in downtown Akron. Phrases like "forward motion," "sustainable energy," "a community of change agents" and "people working together" were written on their name tags, as more than 50 Akron-area young professionals discussed their hopes for the future and how to make the region a more vibrant, livable place.

The Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) hosted the kick-off event to a regional series of discussions comprising the group's VibrantNEO initiative.

"I think the most important thing for us young professionals to remember is that this will be our region for decades, and it will be our children's region after that," said Curtis Baker, planning administrator for the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS), a member of NEOSCC. "We have a shared responsibility to be active participants in our region's planning. This is our chance to be heard and to help find solutions to some of the region's greatest challenges."