Policy Insights

This brief addresses barriers to community engagement, highlighting challenges like underrepresentation of renters and people of color in decision-making processes. It offers strategies for inclusive participation, such as task forces, partnerships with community groups, and web-based platforms. Featuring examples from U.S. cities, Local Housing Solutions emphasizes best practices and guidance to help governments design and measure successful community engagement initiatives.

The U.S. faces a significant shortage of affordable housing, prompting interest in social housing models that emphasize lasting affordability and collective ownership. Public developer models, where government entities take an active role in housing development, are gaining traction across the country. These models are seen in both U.S. cities and internationally in places like Singapore and Vienna. Local governments are exploring various financing and regulatory tools to make public housing development more feasible.