A Memorandum of Understanding
“This partnership seeks to renew the promise at the heart of self-government: that the well-informed wisdom and goodwill of the People, met by a government willing to listen, engage, and act, will lead to enduring progress, a better Akron, and a more perfect union.”
— Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Akron and Unify Akron
On January 6, 2026, the City of Akron and Unify Akron signed an agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU. That might sound formal, but the idea is simple: the MOU explains how residents’ ideas can turn into real action during Akron’s first Civic Assembly on Housing.
The MOU sets clear expectations for everyone involved. It underlines the fact that the Civic Assembly isn’t just a forum for sharing opinions—it’s about listening, learning, and making real progress on a real problem facing Akron today.
A Partnership Between Residents and City Leaders
The Civic Assembly brings together a group of Akron residents chosen by lottery to reflect the whole city. These Delegates will learn about the current housing situation in Akron, hear from people who have a wide range of experiences with housing, and deliberate possible solutions together.
The MOU also describes how the process is designed to be independent and fair. The City will not control who participates or how the Assembly works. Residents will be able (and expected) to work with one another respectfully, constructively, and honestly.
Clear Commitments, Not Just Promises
The agreement spells out in detail what the City of Akron commits to doing. City leaders agree to provide information, attend public events, and—most importantly—give a public response to every recommendation the Assembly makes.
This commitment to accountability means that residents will be able to see continued progress on Akron’s housing problems even after the Assembly’s work is done.
The MOU spells out that Unify Akron is responsible for designing and running the Assembly: raising funds, recruiting participants, ensuring the delegate lottery results reflect the city, supporting participation, and documenting the work. The Assembly itself will remain independent, protected from political interference in its design, facilitation, and deliberation.
At the same time, the City of Akron commits to more than observation. The MOU outlines concrete responsibilities, including:
Providing access to data, officials, and information as needed by the Assembly
Participating in major public Assembly events
Issuing a formal, public response to every one of the Assembly’s recommendations, indicating what the city will work toward implementing and what it won’t and why.
Implementing accepted recommendations in ongoing partnership with teams of residents
Providing public updates on implementation progress, every six months for at least two and a half years after the Assembly ends in May
Public trust doesn’t come from good intentions alone. It comes from clear commitments and follow-through.
Why It Matters
Housing affects everyone in Akron. This MOU helps make sure that decisions about housing are informed by the people who live here.
By putting these commitments in writing, Akron is showing that resident voices matter and that we all share the conviction that democracy works best when listening leads to action.
