Building Public Support For Affordable Housing

State law imposes a variety of obligations on all communities to provide housing to meet the needs of people of all income levels. Moreover, many local officials are personally committed to expanding housing opportunities in their communities for a variety of reasons. Common reasons for public support for affordable housing include strengthening the local economy, providing housing choices for local workers, and meeting basic needs for shelter for disadvantaged or vulnerable populations.

The combination of community concerns and the need for more affordable housing can put local officials in a sticky situation. This toolbox is designed to help with a six-step process:

1. Surveying the Landscape: Conducting an Initial Assessment
2. Building to Code: Law, Procedures and Public Hearings
3. Nuts and Bolts: Addressing Legitimate Community Concerns
4. Blueprint for Success: Designing the Public Participation Process
5. Choosing the Right Tools: Applying Methods of Community Engaging
6. Laying a Foundation for the Future: Implementation, Oversight, and the Framework for Planning

Also Read: Passive Approaches to Low-Energy Affordable Housing