Proactive Housing Development: Local Leaders Must Act Now

Local Leaders Take the Initiative: A Shift in Housing Development

As the housing crisis continues to pose challenges across the United States, local leaders and members of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) are being urged to advance proactive strategies in housing development. The upcoming ICMA Annual Conference in Tampa, Fla., offers a vital platform for discussing innovative solutions to improve economic mobility amid rising housing costs and growing racial wealth disparities.

Community Ownership: A Catalyst for Change

One standout example comes from Baltimore with the Invest York Road project, a community-driven initiative aimed at reversing the generational effects of disinvestment in historically marginalized neighborhoods. By supporting collective ownership of commercial properties, this project empowers residents, allowing them not only to invest financially but also to participate in the decision-making processes that affect their communities. Over 500 residents have benefitted from financial literacy classes, showcasing the dual benefits of wealth building and community engagement.

Innovative Financing and Flexible Zoning: Keys to Development

Baltimore County’s unique funding strategy illustrates the importance of institutional innovation in affordable housing development. By establishing a $16 million local housing fund, the county has successfully utilized creative means such as tax abatements and expediting permitting processes. This has preserved at-risk affordable units and led to successful residential transformation projects, such as converting a vacant hotel into essential housing units.

Exploring Public Land for Housing Solutions

Moreover, Miami-Dade County has made significant strides by conducting thorough inventories of public land to identify available parcels for development, particularly near transit corridors. Through zoning reforms, the county has facilitated the development of mixed-income housing projects, thereby maximizing the use of public assets for community benefit.

The Need for Creative Financing Solutions

To sustain mixed-income developments, Miami-Dade’s “housing for all” initiative aims to blend deeply affordable workforce housing with market-rate options. By working closely with financial institutions, the county has demonstrated how mixed-income projects can be underwritten effectively. This proactive approach has fostered large-scale project growth that integrates essential community amenities.

Housing as Essential Infrastructure

Former HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge emphasized the urgency for local governments to transition from passive regulatory roles to active development planners. By treating housing as essential infrastructure akin to roads and schools, communities can craft neighborhoods that foster economic mobility and quality of life. Ensuring efficient processes in zoning and permitting can lead to swifter housing development, with Miami-Dade successfully reducing multi-family permitting times significantly.

The call to action for local leaders is clear: they cannot afford to remain mere regulators. Instead, they must harness the tools of community ownership, innovative financing, and proactive policy initiatives to reshape the housing landscape. By doing so, they can pave the way for inclusive growth and equitable access to housing, ultimately benefiting the entire community.