Housing is the single biggest factor impacting economic mobility for Americans. When residents have stable living conditions, the benefits are apparent the students do better in school, and health outcomes improve. Communities benefit as a whole from this stability. Opportunities for investment growth and economic prosperity develop when sustainable housing serves the needs of residents across generations and income levels. It’s up to local governments to make the right housing decisions to create positive outcomes for residents and communities.

In order to make real progress in narrowing the gap in access to quality, affordable and safe housing, local leaders must take on the status quo and make significant structural alterations. The most obvious route to address historic inequities would be to institute new policies that consider housing affordability, housing stability, and the gap in availability of safe, healthy housing in all communities. City governments must provide tenants with legal support, prevent foreclosures, prioritize control over zoning by communities of color and create independent equitable development entities that put decision-making power over public investment in the hands of communities most at risk for displacement.