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Interested in community-driven housing models? Check out this insightful article discussing the three major types of community- or resident-controlled housing and how they operate. From limited-equity cooperatives to community land trusts and mutual housing associations, each model offers unique benefits and challenges. Whether you're a policymaker, housing advocate, or community member, understanding these models is crucial for fostering inclusive and sustainable neighborhoods. Dive into the article for a brief overview of these innovative approaches shaping the future of housing:   #CommunityHousingNetwork #ResidentControl #AffordableHousing #HousingModels

Last week, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development released the Vermont 2025-2029 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment. The findings show that a severe housing shortage remains, and the affordability gap is growing as costs stretch Vermonters’ budgets thin. To see the Vermont 2025-2029 Housing Needs Assessment click here! ECONOMIC HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development #housingneedsassessment #HousingAffordability #HousingShortage #AffordableHomes #HousingCrisis #FairHousing #HousingForAll #Vermont

September 4: Solutions for Making Madison’s Housing Market More Affordable --submitted by Sharyn Alden   On September 4, Rotarians heard from Matt Wachter, Director of the City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development, and Nicole Solheim Vice President of Development for Cinnaire, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) about challenges behind affordable housing. The City of Madison has been growing at about 1 percent a year since World War II. In 2021, the demand for affordable housing shot up due, in part, to younger renters with employers like Epic. Construction couldn’t keep up with demand. Coupled with extremely low employment throughout the city, it became apparent that demand was outstripping supply. Wachter noted that since 30 percent of income goes into housing costs, about half of renters in Madison couldn’t afford housing. This significant problem needed to be solved. Over the past 10 years, the city has allocated more money into increasing affordable housing choices. One interesting option is the ‘downtown height bonus” for constructing buildings up to 116 feet in height as long as affordable housing is part of the plan. If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gWcQFvnu.

In response to HUD’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust) and the Homeownership Alliance sent a joint letter offering their comments on this program. While we celebrate the steps that have been taken to implement CDBG funding more effectively— including lessons learned from pandemic-era programs, which provided wide waiver authority and allowed expanded eligibility — our organizations fundamentally believe that if HUD seeks to maximize CDBG’s capabilities to bolster economic development, the Department must ease existing regulations around the feasibility for recipients to use the program for homeownership. Our letter outlines seven recommendations that could yield a significant increase in the number of affordable homes produced and sold to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households across the country, such as including regulatory proposals to reduce red tape, aligning definitions across HUD program offices for single-family dwelling units, and providing flexibility around household income limits for CDBG eligibility. Lastly, we are disheartened to see that implications for rural communities are not discussed in this rulemaking. The CDBG program was authorized to support both metro and non-metro areas, and excluding the rural experience from consideration amid this crucial regulatory reform opportunity will hinder economic opportunity, including affordable homeownership, in these regions. As organizations dedicated to furthering affordable homeownership, we know that regulatory action will increase the amount of LMI households the CDBG program can reach. Our recommendations would empower mission-driven affordable housing providers to build more owner-occupied units and support more LMI homebuyers, supporting economic development in distressed areas more broadly. Learn more and read our full comment at this link: https://lnkd.in/e49MU-zn 

Monday Insights: Housing Edition Did you know that only 37% of low-income families in Chicago have access to affordable housing? This statistic from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) highlights a significant challenge facing our community. At Of Color Inc., we are dedicated to bridging this gap through sustainable housing initiatives. By working closely with local partners and community resources, we aim to create lasting solutions for families in need. Click the link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/grBhG4n4

https://lnkd.in/gdDstGTK SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) today published California’s Housing Future 2040: The Next Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). In this report, HCD recommends to legislators the changes to the RHNA process necessary to effectively plan for the homes that will be needed across the state by 2040.

I signed a petition telling the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) that "It’s Time that San Francisco Puts Affordability & Equity First!" So many people could benefit from SF prioritizing equity-based policies for affordable housing, tenant protections, and community planning, and not developer giveaways. HCD can make sure the equity-based actions in San Francisco's Housing Element are prioritized, and are no longer ignored. Join me in calling on HCD, the SF Board of Supervisors, and SF Mayor London Breed to put affordability and equity first! Let's prioritize real solutions for our most pressing housing needs! Do you have less than 30 seconds to spare? Please sign the petition here: https://lnkd.in/gmKspw3Q

📢 We’re thrilled to share a powerful op-ed co-authored by our CEO, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk and Adam Briones of California Community Builders. The piece dives into the critical role community development financial institutions (CDFIs) can play in addressing the housing affordability crisis. Read the full op-ed and learn how CDFIs can be game-changers in this vital area. #HousingCrisis #CDFIs #AffordableHousing #InnovativeFinance #CommunityImpact

Communities are built on the unique factors that bring us together and thriving communities are ones where residents feel safe, secure and connected to one another. The strength and vibrancy of a community are directly tied to the wellbeing of its residents. It’s because of that security and connection that one of the most critical components at the foundation of a thriving community is the access to attainable housing. Housing isn't just about providing shelter; it serves as the very cornerstone of community development, progress and wellbeing. Without it, people can lose a sense of purpose and connection to their community. It matters from the municipality perspective too, because a lack of attainable housing can lead a city to experience population loss, decreased tax revenues, and less demand for community goods and services among many other things. Midland County has a significant deficit of “missing middle” housing, attainable for households earning between 80-120% of area median income. Missing Middle housing development spans across various units attainable for different ages, home sizes, typologies and income levels. Over time and left unchecked, this can lead to decreased political representation or withdrawal of community employers in search of bigger talent pools. Simply put, attainable housing is part of the foundation for community wellbeing, vibrancy and growth.

Did you know that, in Massachusetts, the homeownership rate in 2022 for White residents was 69% while the homeownership rates for non-white residents was significantly lower: 38% for Black residents, 33% for Latine residents and 58% for Asian residents. (*Info from Boston.Com-link available in COMMENTS) While the MBTA Communities Act made it mandatory for cities and towns near rapid transit stops to zone for multi-family housing with the intention of mitigating this disparity and diversifying communities, many towns have pushed back on developing these units. Just this week, Milton, MA, a predominantly white town (over 70% white) with a median household income of $166,429 had 54% of voters oppose plans to develop multi-family housing. MA’s longtime housing crisis emphasizes the importance of nonprofit organizations like Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). Their mission is to “encourage the production and preservation of housing that is affordable to low and moderate-income families and individuals and to foster diverse and sustainable communities through planning and community development.” Learn more about CHAPA’s work and how to get involved via LINK IN COMMENTS! For those looking to get more civically engaged, stay up to date on community happenings by signing up for GenUnity’s monthly newsletter (LINK IN COMMENTS). #linkincomments #homeownership #housingcrisis #housingforall #housingaffordability #stayuptodate #affordablehousing #mahomes #monthlynewsletter #housingdevelopment #housingdemand #diversecommunities #zoning #urbanplanning