Topic
Policy
The rules of the game—and the attitudes of the players—have an enormous effect on community development work at all levels. Here we look at some of the conversations about how to shift that policy for the better.
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How State Coalitions Are Advancing Community Ownership of Housing
In recent years, housing coalitions promoting community land trusts and real estate cooperatives have formed in multiple cities and states—and they are achieving results. Nonetheless, a lot of work is needed to achieve the policy changes these groups desire.
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Eminent and Notorious: Radical Urban Planner Chester Hartman (1936-2023)
An appreciation of the life and work of Chester Hartman, a radical planner in the service of a vision of social justice.
Six Steps to Ensuring a Strong Right to Organize for Tenants
Getting solid legal protections in place will help tenants stick up for themselves more safely and effectively.
When a Land Bank Starts a Land Trust
An Ohio land bank adds to its developing power through a nonprofit land trust.
Who Gets Tenant Protection Vouchers?
A program to stabilize residents whose subsidized housing is disrupted has also been used to support other highly vulnerable residents, but those uses are a matter of controversy.
Colorado Passed a Historic Affordable Housing Measure. Is It Enough?
The state underfunded affordable housing for decades, but voters recently approved $300 million in new annual spending—and more could be coming.
PHAs Could House People with Convictions, But Most Don’t
Policy changes by local public housing authorities can be transformative for Americans with convictions, and for their families.
Proposed AFFH Rule Doesn’t Address Renters Directly—But It Should
Renters’ rights are fair housing rights. Before publishing a final Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, HUD must specifically address the needs of renters. Here’s how.
Albany’s Good-Cause Eviction Law Worked—Before the Courts Blocked It
As local tenant protections face judicial backlash across New York, tenants are pushing for a statewide version of the law.
Federal and State Dollars Could Be Used to Force Change in Exclusionary Towns
Strict zoning policies keep housing unaffordable. But there are strategies governments can implement to change exclusionary housing policies and promote the construction of more affordable housing.
Three Ways AFFH Has Advanced Housing Justice
Grassroots organizers have used the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule to strengthen communities in the past. These examples show what we should advocate for in a new AFFH rule.
Public Housing Must Be a Part of Fair Housing Planning
Because their programs provide the most deeply affordable housing in the country, public housing authorities should be both supported in improving fair housing outcomes and held to account when they fall short.
Why Bangor’s Affordable Housing Policies Won’t Address Homelessness
After the population of unhoused people in Bangor increased during the pandemic, the city put forward a series of affordable housing solutions. But the new policies may harm unhoused residents rather than help them.