Making the Case

Connect to people’s aspirations

In addition to creating a more inclusive workplace, MHP has also taken this philosophy into the field, working to communicate that inclusive communities are stronger communities.

A key partner has been national messaging expert Dr. Tiffany Manuel, founder, president and CEO of TheCaseMade. MHP first engaged Dr. Manuel to speak at the 2019 MHP Housing Institute. Speaking before an audience of over 100 mostly-suburban local leaders, Dr. Manuel said, “We are spending too much time making the case for affordable housing and not enough time making the case for the solutions we’re championing.”

Dr. Manuel’s appearance led to her working with the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) on its Municipal Engagement Initiative, an ongoing effort to help communities build consensus on housing solutions. Run by CHAPA’s Dana LeWinter with support from MHP, Manuel ran workshops and did some direct consulting with communities.

“Dr. Manuel helped us focus on making strong connections to people's aspirations, and providing solutions so people are compelled to act,” said LeWinter, who has now joined MHP as its chief of public and community engagement. “She also helped us make it clear that inclusive communities are thriving communities.”

One of the groups Manuel advised was Newton’s Engine 6, which spearheaded a campaign that led to voter approval of an 800-unit mixed-use development. Doris Sweet of Engine 6 said Manuel helped the group achieve common ground with climate, transportation, and faith groups.

MHP continues to draw upon Dr. Manuel’s philosophy. At a recent employee luncheon session, staff discussed a panel Manuel moderated on the Redress Movement, which seeks to remedy harms done by segregation. In this discussion, Dr. Manuel said:

“At the core of who we are is we all want the same things. We all want to have a bright future, we all want to have our kids grow up in a great place, and to have neighborhoods that are thriving. Bringing folks together under our common and shared values is so powerful, especially in the world we live in today.”

“We all want the same things. We all want to have a bright future, we all want to have our kids grow up in a great place, and to have neighborhoods that are thriving.”

– Dr. Tiffany Manuel