Local Housing Solutions
To enhance local affordability. To foster inclusive communities.

Housing Policy Case Studies

Please click on any of the photos below to read one of the profiles.
North Texas Regional Assessment of Fair Housing

Affirmatively furthering fair housing strategies from North Texas; Pittsburgh, PA; and Buffalo, NY

Localities and other jurisdictions that receive Community Development Block Grant or other U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds are obligated to affirmatively further fair housing. This entails taking “meaningful actions to overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities.” This case study series focuses on a mobility program in Buffalo, NY; a series of place-based strategies and investments in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA; and a regional fair housing planning process conducted by multiple localities in the North Texas region.
Arial view of mall and vicinity in Arlington, TX

Arlington, TX Unity Council

This case study dives into the Unity Council’s community engagement process, which centers racial equity in its goals to improve quality of life for Arlington residents.
Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership

Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership

The Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership spearheaded the development of a new regional housing plan that aims to triple the amount of affordable housing in the region over the next fifteen years.
oakland community cabins

Combatting unsheltered homelessness in Oakland

To address its homelessness epidemic, the city of Oakland created the Community Cabins Program, an initiative that relies on the thoughtful use of data and participation from the local government, citizens, and private organizations to help combat unsheltered homelessness.
Man standing in front of a big screen showing data is used to illustrate data visualization as a tool for cities

Data visualization: Transforming local housing data into engaging visual narratives

The text provides an overview of the significance of data visualization in transforming complex housing data into easily comprehensible graphical representations. It emphasizes the increasing adoption of various visualization tools by cities, towns, and counties to present housing data effectively, ranging from simple charts to interactive dashboards. The brief outlines key considerations and best practices for creating impactful housing-related visualizations, supplemented with multiple illustrative examples.
Lead paint is shown

Designing a local remediation ordinance: Lesson from Cleveland, OH; Syracuse, NY; and Toledo, OH

This brief provides a practical guide to local “lead laws” for cities interested in preventing exposure to lead-based paint hazards. It begins with a primer on these ordinances: what they are and how they work. We then provide a brief scan of local lead laws around the country. The third section draws on interviews with practitioners working to implement three recently approved lead laws in Cleveland, OH; Syracuse, NY; and Toledo, OH; to identify key decision points. Finally, we provide individual case summaries on the three sites.
Picture of the aftermath of a fire in the forest

Disaster resilience and recovery strategies from Sonoma County, CA; Honolulu, HI; and Larimer County, CO

Nearly every area in the United States faces risk from natural disasters. Storms, floods, fires, and other weather-related hazards can devastate homes and lead to displacement, housing instability, and community infrastructure loss. As climate change makes natural disasters more common and destructive, local policymakers face the growing challenge of preparing for and responding to them. This case study series explores steps localities have taken to either plan for or respond to a natural disaster.
Photo of notice of eviction is shown to illustrate eviction prevention strategies

Eviction prevention strategies from Grand Rapids, MI; Boulder, CO; and Syracuse, NY

Averaging data from 2000 through 2018, researchers estimated that approximately 2.7 million U.S. households are threatened with eviction each year. Eviction filings have also increased nationwide since protections related to the COVID-19 pandemic ended. This case study series explores three types of eviction prevention programs created to help improve conditions.
Image of rental agreement is used to illustrate rental registries across U.S. localities

Exploring rental registries across U.S. localities

This brief examines the implementation and impact of rental registries in five U.S. localities—Portland, ME; Cedar Rapids, IA; Jersey City, NJ; Oakland, CA; and Concord, CA—illustrating how these customized databases enhance understanding of local rental markets.
Davis, California

From conflict to collaboration: How Davis, CA, built a partnership with UC Davis University to address housing concerns

In Davis, California, a collaboration between the university, city, and county resulted in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to address the strain on housing and public services caused by the growing student population. The MOU outlined commitments to increase university-sponsored housing, invest in transit, and ensure the university contributed to public resources. Key takeaways include the potential of MOUs to improve town-gown relationships, establish accountability mechanisms, and facilitate regular tracking of progress.
Project leaders, local politicians, and members of the West End Community participate in a formal groundbreaking ceremony on a new stadium for the new Major League Soccer expansion team FC Cincinnati, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati.

Lessons learned from a Community Benefits Agreement in Cincinnati, Ohio

In 2017, FC Cincinnati proposed building a Major League Soccer stadium in the West End, a historically Black, low-income neighborhood. To address concerns of displacement and inequity, the club negotiated a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with the West End Community Council and the Port of Greater Cincinnati. This CBA aimed to support local youth, affordable housing, and community development. While it brought tangible benefits like financial support for neighborhood programs, the rushed negotiations and lack of enforcement mechanisms hindered its effectiveness in preventing resident displacement. Lessons from this CBA highlight the importance of community involvement, transparency, and strong legal frameworks in CBA processes.

Los Angeles Proposition HHH

LA voters passed Proposition HHH, which enabled City officials to issue $1.2 billion in bonds to develop permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness.

Seattle “Grand Bargain”

Seattle’s Grand Bargain achieved national attention in large part due to the breadth of the stakeholder coalition that participated in developing and agreeing to the MHA initiative.
Small Housing in Spokane, WA

Small housing in Spokane, WA

The city of Spokane, WA made to its building and zoning codes to enable the development of small housing in the city, including cottage housing, pocket residential developments, and tiny homes.

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