This report uses the frame- work of “policy shifts” to help explain U.S. affordable and public housing policy. The report finds a trend that moves away from direct government provision of housing. Instead, a series of shifts have been instrumental in creating policies that support the development of partnerships among government, the private sector, and non-profits. In particular, the paper focuses on programs that incentivize involvement of the private sector and the not for profit community, such as the housing voucher programs (tenant- and project-based), the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, HOPE VI (Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere), the Rental Assistance Demonstration Pilot Program, and the Choice Neighborhoods Program.