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.
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.
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.
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.

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