The Basics

Learn about affordable housing policy

This series answers basic questions about what affordable housing is, how it is created, and what cities, towns, and counties can do to address affordability challenges.

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How Is Affordable Housing Created

Overview of how the two types of affordable housing are created: (a) dedicated affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households and (b) market units that rent or sell at affordable prices.

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Why Doesn't The Housing Market Produce More Housing

Introduction to the market dynamics that limit housing production and drive up home prices and some of the factors causing this problem.

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How Can Increasing Supply Make Housing Affordable

Discussion of how the production of new housing affects housing affordability, and overview of ways that streamlining the development approval process for new homes can contribute to increased affordability.

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Financing Multifamily Housing 101

Overview of how multifamily rental housing is financed and the critical role that public subsidies play in ensuring the viability of properties that charge low rents.

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How to Fill the Funding Gap

Introduction to the types of assistance that affordable housing developers use to fill the funding gap for affordable housing.

Play Video about What is a local housing strategy and why is it important? Background: single family homes.

Local Housing Strategies

Introduction to the concept of a local housing strategy, a unique, focused planning process with several distinct features.

Play Video about Local Housing Solutions Policy Framework Background: single family homes

The LHS Policy Framework

How to organize the dozens of policy options available to local governments using our four-pillar policy framework.

Play Video about Assess your community's housing needs. Background: single family homes.

Assess Housing Needs

Overview of our Housing Needs Assessment, a tool developed with Policy Map that uses Census data to visualize demographic and housing market data for every city and county nationwide.

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On this page

The Basics

What Is Affordable Housing

4 Reasons Why Housing Is Unaffordable

How Is Affordable Housing Created

Why Doesn't The Housing Market Produce More Housing

How Can Increasing Supply Make Housing Affordable

Financing Multifamily Housing 101

How to Fill the Funding Gap

Local Housing Strategies

The LHS Policy Framework

Assess Housing Needs

Local Housing Solutions

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