The Decision Lab’s Post

Communities nationwide are grappling with housing shortages, impacting their affordability, growth, and livability. My latest blog delves into the link between housing supply and stability, offering insights on how cities can ensure equitable development. Read more below:

As the gap between housing construction and demand continues to widen across the United States, many local communities are faced with housing shortages. In turn, homeowners and renters alike are experiencing significant affordability challenges. The affordable housing crisis impacts everyone by perpetuating inequities, diminishing quality of life of residents and threatening the economy by limiting equal opportunity access. Fifty percent of Centralina delegates indicated that their community experiences challenges in addressing affordable housing strategies and solutions. Acknowledging the supply gap and recognizing the limitations local governments have in solving the crisis on their own, the group discussed locally driven solutions that meet unique community needs. Continue reading to learn about urban opportunities, rural solutions and suburban strategies: https://loom.ly/3vRgLXY

A startling new report from Arizona State University has disclosed a growing affordable housing crisis that is currently threatening our state. According to the study, Arizona has seen a staggering 72% increase in rents from 2010 to 2022, with home ownership becoming increasingly out of reach for many residents. This situation is further complicated by critical concerns about the future of our water supply and the stability of the energy grid, factors that are integral to sustainable housing development and economic growth. Despite these challenges, a recent event hosted by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at ASU, the Housing and Water Policy Summit, provided a platform for optimism and proactive planning. The summit brought together top experts from various sectors to discuss viable solutions and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing these pressing issues. During the summit, discussions highlighted how municipal and state governments are actively working to create more affordable housing options. Additionally, other stakeholders are taking significant strides in balancing economic growth with strategic resource management, ensuring that development does not outpace our ability to sustain it environmentally and economically. At A New Leaf, we understand that affordable housing is more than just a financial concern; it is a fundamental human need that impacts overall community health, stability, and growth. Thus, we are committed to contributing to this conversation and action. We will continue to support and participate in initiatives that address not only the housing needs of our community but also the broader infrastructural and environmental considerations that support long-term sustainability. Together, we can work towards solutions that ensure all Arizonans have access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. https://lnkd.in/gehYE2mN

Thank you, Community Housing Industry Association, for a jam-packed two-day program exploring Affordable Housing Development and Investment. We were thrilled to have our CEO, Jennifer Michelmore, invited to facilitate a panel that explored ideas for winning community support for social and affordable housing developments. Patrick Fensham, PIA Victoria divisional president, discussed the critical importance of quality neighbourhood planning, that social and affordable housing must be viewed as critical infrastructure, and that CHPs must be consulted as key stakeholders in the planning processes. Jonathan O'Brien, Lead Organisation of YIMBY Melbourne, discussed the limitations of our current planning process being focused on an 'objections culture' and shared the work his organisation is doing to elevate the 'yes' voice in the planning processes. Jo Cannington, Director of Homes Melbourne, shared an overview of the City of Melbourne's People Panel on Affordable Housing, where a demographically representative group of 40 residents developed 11 recommendations for how the city could improve affordable housing delivery. Our three big takeaways: We need to find a way to amplify the voice of the silent majority. Education is vital - we need to help communities understand the size and scale of the housing affordability challenge and build their knowledge on the types of solutions that work. CHPs are critical stakeholders that need to be at the table in neighbourhood planning discussions.

This overview by Signal Cleveland, of our city's plans for affordable housing, is well worth reading. While it's heartening to see long overdue investment starting to happen, it's very clear that we need a longer term and far bigger influx of capital to meet the community's needs. The number of unhoused people is growing and income growth is not keeping pace with market prices. The coverage in the article below focuses exclusively on governmental investments. Private-public partnerships, including large employers who can be part of both - increasing housing stock and wage increases - would appear to be vital to meet these needs.

We sincerely appreciate everyone who took time from their busy schedules to attend the Growing Niagara Housing Symposium. Your presence is vital as we work together to explore innovative solutions for getting more families into homes in Niagara. Let’s continue this important conversation and make a difference in our community! Key Takeaways from the Symposium:   ·    Unlocking Housing Supply: Experts emphasized the urgent need to reduce red tape and harmonize municipal zoning policies to allow for more housing developments across Niagara.   ·    Innovative Land Use: Discussions highlighted the potential to repurpose surplus public and private lands for affordable and diverse housing solutions.   ·    Affordability Challenges: Discussions underscored the impact of fees and taxes on housing affordability. Recommendations included reducing financial barriers for developers and buyers.   ·    Regional Collaboration: Local leaders and policymakers agreed that synchronizing planning rules and fostering partnerships between municipalities can expedite housing projects.   ·    Data-Driven Policy: Nik Nanos from Nanos Research presented findings showing that Niagara residents strongly support more action from local elected officials to address the housing crisis. View the Nik Nanos Research Report:   We’re pleased to share the full Nanos Research Report, which provides a detailed look at public sentiment and the economic factors influencing housing in Niagara. [Follow the link below to read the report.] https://lnkd.in/ekY_Kghb Mat Siscoe, Nik Nanos CM, ICD.D, Anthony Passarelli, Chris Bittle, Gary Zalepa, Jim Diodati, Grant Munday, Chris McQueen OREA - Ontario Real Estate Association, The Canadian Real Estate Association | L'Association canadienne de l'immobilier, Niagara Region, City of St. Catharines, City of Niagara Falls, City of Thorold, Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Matthew T., Sarah Hart, CAE

Navigate the future of affordable housing in 2024 with Multi-Housing News. Gain insights into the evolving landscape, and industry challenges and discover strategies for a resilient affordable housing sector. https://buff.ly/3vvkMQz #multifamily @MHNonline

The Global Challenge Of Affordable Housing: Why It Matters Affordable housing is a fundamental human right, yet millions worldwide struggle to secure it due to rapid urbanization, economic inequality, insufficient government policies, real estate speculation, and the impacts of natural disasters and climate change. The importance of affordable housing lies in its ability to provide economic stability, health and well-being, social cohesion, educational opportunities, and reduce homelessness. Addressing the global housing crisis requires increased investment in affordable housing projects, inclusive housing policies, innovative building techniques, and community involvement. By recognizing and addressing these challenges, we can work towards a world where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. https://lnkd.in/dE7f26TP

Addressing Housing Cost Overburden in the EU: A Critical Analysis for 2024 Housing affordability remains a pressing issue in the EU, particularly in urban centers where demand continues to outpace supply. According to recent statistics, 10.4% of urban residents and 6.2% of those in rural areas face significant housing cost overburden. This disparity highlights the unique challenges faced by urban dwellers due to the higher cost of living and competitive housing markets. Regional variations across the EU highlight broader trends, with Greece, Denmark, and the Netherlands experiencing the highest urban overburden rates at 32.4%, 21.9%, and 15.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, Lithuania, Malta, and Hungary reported the lowest rates, suggesting more favorable housing cost-to-income ratios. Efforts to address this issue include policy measures aimed at increasing affordable housing stock and financial assistance programs to aid those most affected. For government officials and top managers, these statistics serve as a call to action to devise localized strategies that address both urban and rural needs. Policy considerations might include enhancing regulatory frameworks to encourage the development of affordable housing, implementing targeted financial subsidies or rent controls in high-demand urban areas, and promoting rural development to reduce migration pressures on urban centers. The ongoing urban-rural disparity in housing affordability requires a nuanced approach to policymaking, with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity. Ensuring that housing remains affordable is crucial not only for economic stability but also for the social well-being of all EU citizens. As we move into 2024, the continuation of these efforts will be vital in shaping resilient and inclusive housing markets across the EU.

Can New Housing Supply Mitigate Displacement and Exclusion? - PDF: https://lnkd.in/gWxhnncu The housing affordability crisis is exacerbating displacement and exclusion in built-up urban neighborhoods. Although new housing development might help, it faces local opposition. Researchers have struggled to inform this debate because of data challenges, so we constructed a unique database on construction and household-level mobility to determine how development affects displacement and exclusion in the subsequent 5years in Los Angeles (a typical coastal “hot market” in California) and San Francisco (the extreme “superstar city” case in California). We found that developing new market-rate housing generally helped slightly to alleviate both displacement and exclusion pressures for low-income households in Los Angeles and helped increase in-migration into weaker market neighborhoods in San Francisco. But particularly in the hottest markets, the new market-rate units could fail to spur low- and moderate-income households’ in-migration and exacerbate their out-migration. Likewise, the positive impacts of the new market-rate units may fade over time. Subsidized housing generally mitigated both exclusion and displacement slightly in most markets. Future research should examine long-term effects in a variety of contexts, controlling for the role of housing policies such as rent stabilization. Takeaway for practice: Market-rate housing development may help alleviate rent pressures locally and regionally, but it is not sufficient to address displacement and exclusion at the neighborhood level. Because new production helps to mitigate displacement and exclusion in some contexts but exacerbates it in others, planners need to understand the market and neighborhood context for development. In addition to supporting more market-rate and subsidized housing development through zoning and fiscal tools, planners should implement complementary policies such as housing preservation and tenant protections.