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.
The Latest
What the Grants Pass Case Means—For All of Us
In an era of runaway housing costs, the Supreme Court is going to decide whether it's illegal to not be able to afford them.
Explore Articles in this Topic
Search & Filter Within this Topic
filter by Content Type
filter by Date Range
search by Keyword
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.
AFFH’s Bumpy Road to Overcoming Segregation
The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule was intended to force communities to take action to address housing segregation and discrimination. How has the rule evolved throughout the years, and will a proposed new rule finally put some teeth into the legal concept?
AFFH: Third Time’s the Charm?
What’s the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing provision? How has it been enforced in the past? And what do fair housing advocates think of the proposed changes? Shelterforce’s new Under the Lens series—New AFFH Rules: What You Need to Know—explores that and more.
Through Her Eyes: Community Organizing in Detroit
Kea Mathis organizes alongside tenants—mostly Black, women-led households—to create and support affordable, quality housing. “It is very hard . . . as a Black woman here, to be the one to try to ask the question first or stand up first,” says Mathis.
Reforming Zoning in a Racist Market Still Worth It
In a racist society, markets cause racist housing outcomes, but nonetheless the influence of land use regulation shouldn’t be ignored.