Urban Collaborative

Using a Project-Based Learning model, the Urban Collaborative engages York College faculty and students in mutually beneficial projects that connect students to the community, facilitating understanding, and promoting problem-solving through research and new ideas. We work alongside community partners to improve the quality of life in York’s neighborhoods and to support the accessibility of home ownership and economic opportunities to those who live here.

We believe that:

• The stability of a community is enhanced by home ownership and related economic opportunities for its residents.
• Achieving economic mobility and equity requires a combination of educational, financial, and intellectual support.
• Economic mobility is best achieved in partnership with residents—not top-down.
• Academic institutions can support this work with reliable data and analysis.
• This work is mutually beneficial for our students and the community.

In the short term, the leadership at the Center for Community Engagement aims to:

• Engage appropriate faculty and students (graduate and undergraduate) in the efforts of the Collaborative.
• Work with faculty to develop course-based and co-curricular projects.
• Support community partners in projects aimed to improve quality of life in the City of York.

• With support from our donor, and with the cooperation of the Redevelopment Authority and other City agencies, it is our intent to facilitate the acquisition and renovation of residential and/or commercial real estate with the goal of making that real estate available to neighborhood residents. 
• We will support workforce development initiatives that provide gainful employment opportunities to city residents with the dual purposes of economic stability and reduced recidivism.

In order to accomplish the goals of the initiative, we will:

• Engage the community to identify meaningful, quality of life projects for students and faculty.
• Develop and facilitate relationships with key community partners who will support students and faculty in their research. 
• Gather data on research areas and partners to better understand the needs of underserved communities.
• Analyze the elements of healthy neighborhoods, including green spaces.
• Analyze gathered data to promote successful strategies for neighborhood revitalization without displacement of residents.
• Create action proposals for grants or other funding.
• Work toward programs that enable residents and partners to acquire, renovate, and facilitate the sale of property or the development of safe, affordable housing.

In addition to the leadership of the Center for Community Engagement, the Urban Collaborative will involve:

• The J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship and the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation.
• The Lifelong Learning Institute.
• York College faculty, staff, and students.
• Local non-profits organizations and government entities. 
• Community partners and residents.

We invite faculty to partner with the Urban Collaborative, particularly through a community-based learning course or unit. For example:

• Students in a history course studied the genesis of policies in York that have led to current inequities, and made recommendations on how we might move forward in more equitable ways.
• Students and faculty with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience mapped area neighborhoods in ways that helped clarify the assets and deficiencies of specific neighborhoods.
• Faculty and students collaborated with the York County Planning Commission (YCPC) to develop a marketing strategy for a HUD-funded lead paint abatement program. The project focuses on identifying vulnerable residents to build a waitlist ahead of a 2027 production grant.
• A Human Resource Management class partnered with the nonprofit Friends & Neighbors, who provide services to the unhoused population, to professionalize their HR infrastructure as the organization expands.

Hannah Zinn | August 7, 2026

Careers in the skilled trades offer pathways to employment through specialized training in fields such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and maintenance. This article explores the value of these careers in York, including workforce shortages, barriers to entry, the potential impact of artificial intelligence, and opportunities for training and apprenticeships.

Hannah Zinn | March 23, 2026

As housing costs rise, more individuals and families are turning to nonprofits and government programs for support while many of those same organizations face uncertainty surrounding their own funding. This article examines the challenges facing York’s housing nonprofits and considers strategies for building financial and organizational resilience.

Hannah Zinn | October 21, 2025

Historic redlining shaped more than housing opportunities in York. Its effects can still be seen in the distribution of trees and greenspace throughout the city. This article examines the connection between York’s redlining history and present-day tree equity while highlighting ways residents can engage with parks, gardens, and environmental initiatives.

Kristie Houck | April 18, 2025

Homelessness and affordable housing policy in the United States have developed through decades of federal and state action. This article traces that history, examining major housing policies, federal approaches to homelessness, and more recent policies affecting people experiencing homelessness.

Kristie Houck | November 24, 2024

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program helps families receiving housing assistance work toward greater financial independence by setting goals, increasing income, and building savings through an escrow account. This article examines how FSS works, how programs operate in York County, and the barriers participants may face as they work toward goals such as employment, education, homeownership, and long-term self-sufficiency. 

Kristie Houck | August 28, 2024

York City’s aging housing stock creates an ongoing risk of lead exposure, particularly for young children. This article examines the history and health effects of lead poisoning, disparities in exposure and testing, and the policies and resources available to address lead hazards in York.

Kristie Houck | July 24, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson changed how municipalities may enforce public-camping ordinances. This article examines how the ruling may affect people experiencing homelessness, the cycle of recidivism, access to housing and support services, and its potential implications for York City and York County.