Wildfires Without Borders: The Case for Prevention Standards

Scott McGill | 4 Minute Read

For the past two decades, the United States has experienced an average of 70,600 wildfires a year, according to the National Interagency Coordination Center. These wildfires strike a diverse set of areas and many different terrains. They devastate populations big and small, and don’t mind county...

Outside Inspiration for Citizen Engagement in Local Government

Rajiv Desai | 4 Minute Read

Companies like Amazon and Uber have built powerhouse brands by creating easy, enjoyable experiences for their customers. It makes sense: When a product is similar or even indistinguishable from that of competitors, ensuring customers have a superior experience with your brand gives you an edge.

Wildfire Home Hardening: How to Educate Your Community

Scott McGill | 4 Minute Read

According to a recent study from CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection), homes built with hardening standards are 40% less likely to be destroyed and 32% less likely to be damaged. These findings support the importance of community education when it comes to wildfire home...

Ensuring Every Eviction is a Just Cause Eviction

Rajiv Desai | 4 Minute Read

We know that housing stability has incredible benefits for children, families, healthcare systems, and local economies — and that housing instability is harmful to all of the above. That’s why it’s essential to put legal safeguards in place for renters in our communities, including laws that ensure...

Bridging the Digital Divide with Citizen Engagement Software

Rajiv Desai | 4 Minute Read

Early Silicon Valley investor John Doerr famously predicted that the digital revolution would generate more wealth in a few decades than any other technology in human history. He wasn’t wrong. The rapid pace of technological advancement over the past 30 years has created countless opportunities and...

How Solution Accelerators Are Changing Public Sector Software

Rajiv Desai | 4 Minute Read

The public sector is changing faster than ever. Amplified by the pandemic, this rapid change is only possible with the support of technology. It isn’t a question of if local governments and communities will need to adopt new technologies but a matter of when. Software as a service (SaaS) solutions...

Managing the Eviction Crisis: Why Cities Need EMPs

Rajiv Desai | 3 Minute Read

By mid-2021, more than seven million U.S. adults lived in households that were behind on rent payments. The current challenge for housing directors is at a scale never seen before. As federal mandates and funding programs end, millions of people could face evictions in the US. The demand on city...

The Power of an Outstanding Citizen Experience

Rajiv Desai | 4 Minute Read

What do companies like Uber, Warby Parker, and Amazon have in common? Uber isn’t the only way to hail a ride, Warby Parker isn’t the only place to buy glasses, and Amazon is far from the only online retailer.

California AB 38: What Fire Departments Need to Know

Scott McGill | 4 Minute Read

Fire officials and community leaders have taken notice of a new state mandate in California called Assembly Bill 38 (AB 38), a multi-dimensional bill aimed at improving fire prevention management and proactive homeowner education.

Rent Stabilization vs Rent Control: Differences & Solutions

Rajiv Desai | 5 Minute Read

Rents are seeing dramatic increases – up over 10% on average from 2020 to 2021. With such a dramatic rise, local leaders are looking for solutions to help residents in their communities. It’s likely we’ll see more and more conversations about rent control and rent stabilization policies as well as...