Case Studies of Successful and Unsuccessful Sitting Strategies

One of a series of handbooks created for the Campaign for New Community Group in 1994 to aid in providing shelter and services to people in need in Washington D.C. This handbook is intended for activists, service providers, planners, and clients. It is based on research undertaken to identify good and bad sitting strategies when it comes to initiating services for people in need in various neighborhoods. Good strategies are required in order to avoid "not in my backyard" reactions from residents. The interaction of three factors (characteristics of the host community; type of proposed facility; and the kinds of people who will be using the facility) influence the success of sitting. Success will often depend on the service providers and advocates providing a lot of information; having good experience and reputations; holding open houses; publicizing expert and celebrity opinion; promotion through the media; and holding public meetings, information sessions, dialogue, and negotiation and mediation with the host community.