Phoenix Innovation Challenge: Affordable Housing
In the bustling heart of Phoenix, amidst a vibrant community of innovators and thinkers, Arizona native Anthony Dynar found himself drawn to participate in the city's third hackathon. This event, which promised not just a challenge but an opportunity to shape the future, was inspired by his involvement with Strong Towns and the profound insights of Charles L. Marohn, Jr. In his most recent book released in April, 2024, "Escaping the Housing Trap." Dynar eagerly signed up as a national member and joined the local Strong Towns Phoenix group, a decision that led him to a transformative experience at the hackathon focused on affordable housing.
"The decision to join the hackathon was deeply rooted in my passion for addressing societal challenges through innovation," Dynar explained. Guided by the principles of Strong Towns, he saw the event as a chance to contribute to meaningful change in his community. Leading up to the hackathon, Dynar immersed himself in understanding the theme—affordable housing—and prepared mentally to collaborate effectively with fellow participants.
At the hackathon, Dynar was fortunate to be part of a dynamic team led by Carol Farabee, whose guidance was instrumental throughout the process. Their team, consisting of Carol, Jonathon Chambless, Chris Fox, Sarath Chalamcharla, and Dynar himself, approached the challenge of affordable housing by leveraging their diverse skills and perspectives. "Communication was key; we discussed ideas openly, divided tasks efficiently, and supported each other through the intense brainstorming and prototyping phases," Dynar noted. While they focused intensely on their project, it was inspiring to witness the creativity and dedication of other teams presenting their solutions.
The team's central idea revolved around creating a comprehensive plan for affordable housing that considered sustainability, energy efficiency, and community engagement. The parameters set by the hackathon were clear: housing that is attainable to households at or below 80% of the area median income, with monthly housing costs not exceeding 30% of monthly household income.
"We explored adaptive reuse projects, converting vacant or underutilized buildings into affordable housing units, and prioritized such projects in areas lacking low-income housing," Dynar explained. They proposed leveraging public-private partnerships, federal entitlement programs, and other funding sources to produce more affordable housing. Their plan included incentivizing developers with density bonuses, reduced lot sizes, and reduced fees for including affordable housing in their projects.
Image provided by Mane Cultivation. Onstage from left to right: Carol Farabee, Anthony Dynar, Jonathan Chambless, Chris Fox, and Sarath Chalamcharla.
During the presentation phase, Dynar felt a mix of nerves and excitement as they showcased their solution to the judges and audience. "The feedback was constructive, highlighting strengths in our approach while suggesting areas for refinement," he recalled. It was a humbling experience to see how each team interpreted the theme uniquely, yet with a shared goal of improving urban livability through innovation.
Reflecting on the hackathon experience, Dynar realized the importance of persistence and passion in pursuing solutions that align with his values. The judging criteria, though fair, underscored the challenge of balancing innovative ideas with practical feasibility in urban development. "While our focus was not on homelessness, a topic close to my heart, I found myself contemplating broader implications and the need for inclusive solutions in future urban initiatives," he reflected.
The event reaffirmed his belief in the power of community-driven innovation and collaboration. Connecting with like-minded individuals who shared a commitment to making a difference was a highlight of the hackathon. However, there were moments of introspection too, where Dynar recognized the need to continue advocating for solutions that prioritize social impact alongside financial viability.
Image provided by Mane Cultivation. From left to right: Carol Farabee and Anthony Dynar.
Looking ahead, recent developments such as the SCOTUS ruling on homelessness have heightened the urgency of addressing housing and shelter issues. Dynar remains steadfast in his pursuit of finding the right avenues where innovative ideas can flourish, aligning more closely with his passion for social equity and urban resilience. "As I continue my journey with Strong Towns and the local Phoenix community, I am committed to contributing meaningfully to initiatives that strive to create inclusive, sustainable urban environments," he asserted.
Future Endeavors and Continued Learning
While the hackathon was a significant milestone, Dynar's journey does not end here. He is setting his sights on future opportunities to make a broader impact and continue learning. Among these opportunities are the Holcim Awards 2025, the Sustainable Product Design Award, the Green Concept Award, and various Urban Design Lab Competitions. These platforms recognize and promote projects that combine sustainable design and construction with architectural excellence.
"The Holcim Awards, for instance, contribute to a global dialogue on sustainable development, inspiring a new generation of professionals to embrace holistic and responsible approaches to building design and construction," Dynar explained. However, he emphasizes that his goal is not merely to win awards but to gain what only comes from connecting with other passionate individuals. "I'm not giving up. I don't need an award to win; I'm after the idea fuel that only connecting with other people can give."
Dynar is keen on registering his interest and preparing to participate in these prestigious competitions. "By applying the knowledge and experience from the hackathon, I hope to contribute a project that not only meets the criteria but also pushes the boundaries of sustainable and inclusive development and redevelopment," he said.
The hackathon experience was not just about solving a specific challenge but about embracing a mindset of continuous learning and innovation. It reinforced Dynar's belief that impactful change starts with passionate individuals coming together to tackle complex issues. As he reflects on the insights gained and the connections made, Dynar invites others to join him in this journey of exploring new possibilities and reshaping our cities for the better.
Team Two
Meet Team Captain
Carol Farabee,
Meet Carol, a Navy Veteran, author, entrepreneur, professor, and CEO of Arizona Business Incubator. With over 30 years in Corporate America and 22 years as a University Professor, Carol brings a wealth of experience and dedication to community service. She is passionate about helping others achieve their dreams through grant writing, strategic planning, and mentorship.
“Carol, your leadership and guidance were instrumental throughout the process. Your extensive experience and dedication to community service inspired us all to strive for excellence. Thank you for being a beacon of knowledge and for keeping us focused and motivated.”
Meet Jonathon Chambless,
The founder of LV8RLABS, an enterprise SaaS laboratory providing regulatory-compliant technology solutions to the AEC industry. With a keen eye for industry trends and a commitment to excellence, Jonathon leads his team in developing cutting-edge solutions that enhance operational efficiency and compliance.
Meet Chris Fox,
A sales professional at Group Management Services, Inc. (GMS), and a data analytics fellow at Springboard. With over 12 years of experience in sales and entrepreneurship, Chris excels in structured thinking, data analysis, communication, and presentation. He is passionate about holistic nutrition and sustainable living.
Meet Sarath Chalamcharla,
A data engineering and analytics expert at Analytic Era. With a solid foundation in data engineering, analytics, and database technologies, Sarath leverages emerging trends in AI and cloud technologies to drive strategic insights and robust analytics solutions.
Meet Maximus Powers,
A young entrepreneur and developer from Brooklyn, NY, passionate about disruptive data science technologies. A recent graduate from Clarkson University, Maximus has moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he engages with innovative projects. His current interest lies in autonomous vehicles and their big data implications.
Meet Anthony Dynar,
A dedicated Property Manager at Commercial Properties, Inc./CORFAC International, with over a decade of experience in property management, leasing, and acquisitions, bringing expertise and precision to his role.
A Heartfelt Thanks
Participating in the third hackathon organized by Phoenix City's Office of Innovation was a transformative experience for Anthony Dynar. In a recent interview with Mane Cultivation, Anthony expressed his gratitude for the exceptional team he had the pleasure to work with. Here are his heartfelt thanks to each member:
“Jonathon, your innovative mindset and expertise in regulatory-compliant technology provided a solid foundation for our project. Your ability to foresee industry trends and drive our team toward practical solutions was invaluable. Thank you for your insights and strategic thinking.”
“Chris, your sales acumen and data analytics skills brought a unique perspective to our team. Your passion for helping small and medium-sized businesses thrive, combined with your holistic approach to living, made our collaboration truly enriching. Thank you for your dedication and positive energy.”
“Sarath, your proficiency in data engineering and analytics was crucial to our success. Your commitment to leveraging emerging technologies ensured our data strategies were robust and forward-thinking. Thank you for your technical expertise and innovative ideas.”
“Maximus, although you moved to Team 6, your initial contributions to our team did not go unnoticed. Your passion for disruptive technologies and public transit, coupled with your skills in computer data, significantly impacted our project. Thank you for your dedication and for being a valuable part of our journey.”
Together, they navigated the complexities of affordable housing, leveraging our diverse skills and perspectives to create a comprehensive plan. The feedback they receive will be constructive, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have seen such a talented and passionate group. As they move forward, look forward to continuing your journey of innovation and community impact. Thank you all for making this hackathon an unforgettable experience.
Continued Reading
Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis
explores the tension between housing as an investment and housing as shelter. It provides a history of U.S. housing policy, examines current market issues, and advocates for local, neighborhood-level changes to address the housing crisis. This book is a crucial resource for understanding and tackling the housing crisis from a bottom-up perspective.
Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town
In this book they focus on how America’s transportation system is designed, funded, and built, highlighting flaws in current designs and their impacts. This book provides case studies of successful improvements that cities can make to better service the community. This resource is essential for anyone interested in understanding and improving transportation systems.