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.
Big Sky, Montana, a popular tourist destination in the winter months

Balancing tourism and housing: Innovative approaches in Provincetown, MA; Big Sky, MT; Moab, UT; and Frisco, CO

Tourist destinations like Provincetown, MA; Big Sky, MT; Moab, UT; and Frisco, CO, face significant housing challenges due to high demand for short-term rentals, second homes, and seasonal worker accommodations. Rising housing costs and limited availability make it difficult for local workers to find affordable housing. To address these issues, each locality has implemented unique strategies, such as short-term rental regulations, deed restrictions, impact fees, and housing trust initiatives. These policies aim to balance the needs of the tourism industry with affordable housing options for local residents and essential workers.
Image of Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville, VA’s path to equitable zoning reform

Charlottesville, VA, overhauled its zoning code in 2023 to address housing affordability and racial equity. Learn how the city eliminated single-family zoning, added affordability incentives, and protected vulnerable neighborhoods from displacement.
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

This piece provides an overview of the significance of data visualization in transforming complex housing data into easily comprehensible graphical representations. It also 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. Additionally, it outlines key considerations and best practices for creating impactful housing-related visualizations, supplemented with multiple illustrative examples.
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.
University of VA, Charlottesville

How YIMBY activists helped secure new housing in Charlottesville, VA

Pro-housing advocacy was vital in promoting development in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the City Council approved the construction of two large apartment buildings despite opposition from the University of Virginia and some residents. The local YIMBY group, Livable Cville, played a key role by actively supporting the development through direct advocacy, writing letters to city officials, and educating the community on the benefits of increasing housing supply. Their efforts highlight how local YIMBY activism can significantly impact policy and planning decisions.
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.
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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