on Feb 11, 2025

HR&A’s Recent Impact

In 2024, we worked on projects across nearly 200 communities in the US and abroad. Here are just a few examples of our recent work in action. 

 

We helped state broadband offices secure federal funding that gives people the skills they need to effectively use the Internet.

 

We celebrated the creation of over 20k affordable homes since the launch of the Amazon Equity Fund and convened in Seattle to celebrate an additional $1.4b in funding to support thousands of additional units.

 

We hosted foster youth leaders in our New York office, where they presented to Councilmember Rita Joseph, the Administration for Children’s Services Commission, and philanthropic leaders. We’re working with Youth Advisory Board, The Center for Fair Futures, Children’s Village, and Good River Partners on a report set for release this year, about how to finance housing, at scale, for young people aging out of the foster system.

 

All in Allegheny

Since taking office early last year, we helped Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato engage 19,000 residents to understand their priorities. Just six months later, the administration has delivered on 91% of the community’s action items within the All In Allegheny Action Plan, addressing issues such as housing affordability, expanding voting access, and enhancing health-focused crisis response.

 

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Across the country, we’re helping reimagine the future of city business districts, including Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, and more. After working with the City of Boston to launch their Office to Residential Conversion Program, Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced an extension to the program along with $15 million in funding to incentivize converting large-scale office buildings into housing.

 

Downtown Detroit Partnership

We’re working with the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) to shape an alternative vision for the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) I-375 project, which aims to transform a one-mile freeway into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, restoring connections in the heart of Detroit.

 

Carlos Horton

HR&A supported the revitalization of Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo and helped reimagine two iconic cultural landmarks — the Convento de San Francisco and Mercado Modelo. The project aimed to preserve the district’s historic significance while fostering economic growth and community engagement.

 

Creatives New York

“New York Isn’t New York Without Artists” is a policy playbook we created for Creatives Rebuild New York which outlines key steps for New York State and local governments to support artists and creative workers, who are vital to the state’s $144 billion cultural sector.

 

Sergey Novikov

We’re working with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to develop an implementation program framework that will guide design development for the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan.

 

BIG

We’re helping transform Connecticut’s Manresa Island from an abandoned industrial site into a 125-acre public park and community hub.

 

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HR&A is supporting the City and County of Honolulu to assess climate-related financial risks and define strategies for funding and budgeting vital adaptation measures. As climate hazards like coastal erosion, flooding, and hurricanes become more frequent and severe, this initiative marks a significant opportunity for Honolulu to safeguard its future by investing in resilient infrastructure and long-term solutions.