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Bridge
Build a strong coalition to support housing initiatives
Housing and neighborhood conditions shape outcomes across a variety of domains. Materials in this section describe some of these connections, and help to make the case for broadening the coalition of support for initiatives that increase the availability of affordable housing. Click on the links below to learn more and view the brief.
Making the case
Why housing matters
Overview of the many ways in which investments in quality housing can enhance both local economic development and the health and well-being of individual residents, and steps that housing policymakers can take to further these broader objectives. Learn more about why housing matters.
Resources on building public support
List of selected publications, organizations, and initiatives focused on public opinion research and messaging on affordable housing and housing subsidy programs, including brief descriptions and links. Learn more about building public support.
Building a strong coalition to support housing initiatives
Housing connections
Housing and health
Overview of the variety of ways that housing and neighborhood conditions shape health outcomes and impact spending on healthcare, and steps that housing policymakers can take to contribute to better health outcomes. Learn more about housing and health.
Housing and education
Overview of how investments in quality affordable housing and neighborhood facilities can result in significant educational benefits for children, and steps that housing policymakers can take to support educational achievement. Learn more about housing and education.
Expanding access to public transit
Introduction to ways that local jurisdictions can use policies in the Housing Policy Library to preserve and create affordable housing around existing and new or planned transit stations. Learn more about expanding access to public transit.
Reducing energy use and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
Introduction to the ways that local jurisdictions can use policies in the Housing Policy Library to achieve reductions in residential energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about reducing energy use and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
A balanced approach
Importance of a balanced approach
Preserving and expanding the supply of dedicated affordable housing is critical, but research evidence shows that allowing the broader housing market to respond to increased demand with new construction is also essential to constrain housing prices in cities, towns, and counties facing rising rents and prices. This brief reviews that evidence and also underscores what a robust supply of market rate housing will not accomplish. The paper concludes that cities, towns, and counties should adopt a balanced approach that both supports the creation and preservation of dedicated affordable housing and removes barriers to new development for all income levels. Learn more about taking a balanced approach to new development.