Focusing Housing Policy on Outcomes to Ensure Economic Recovery

Housing policy can ensure a sustainable economic recovery by focusing on five outcomes.

2 minute read

January 20, 2021, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Coronavirus

Erin Alexis Randolph / Shutterstock

Planners looking for ways to "build back better," in the words of president-elect Joe Bide, have a suite of housing policy options to choose from.

Elizabeth Champion and Megan Gallagher present a detailed list of five policy outcomes that can contribute to economic stability and mobility in the recovery from the ravages of the pandemic.

"The current housing policy response focuses on two outcomes: supporting housing affordability and stability," according to the article. "Both have crucial implications for all the components of upward mobility but are likely to fall short of fully supporting equitable housing recovery that strengthens future resiliency." To make up for that shortcoming, Champion and Gallagher propose three additional outcomes as a goal for planners and policymakers. Here is how the article lists the five outcomes in total, with much more detail included in the source article:

  1. Housing affordability can promote multiple dimensions of mobility.
  2. Housing stability encourages civic engagement and promotes economic success, power, and belonging.
  3. Housing quality can have long-term effects on a household’s autonomy and economic success.
  4. Housing that builds wealth can offer homeowners a resource for investments in education, health, and other opportunities.
  5. Neighborhood context can influence upward mobility, with some “high-opportunity” neighborhoods offering more advantages.

The long-term recovery will require even more proactive work toward established outcomes, write the duo, "[acknowledging] the full influence of housing on a household’s power and autonomy and sense of being valued in their community as drivers of the household’s upward mobility."

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 in Urban Institute

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Self-driving Mercedes semi truck on highway with white semi truck behind it

California Moves to Limit Autonomous Trucks

A bill passed by the State Assembly and moving on to the Senate would require autonomous semi trucks to have a trained human operator in the vehicle.

June 2 - The Sacramento Bee

Minnesota state capitol building with red flowers on green front lawn

Minnesota Budget Includes Significant Transit Investments

After a contentious debate, the state legislature passed a budget that changes how transportation projects are funded and supports increased transit service in the state.

June 2 - Governing

A vacant lot between two one-story brick buildings with graffiti in Detroit, Michigan

Proposed Land Value Tax Plan in Detroit

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan proposes hiking property taxes for vacant land and buildings while lowering the rate for occupied homes and businesses in a split tax plan he contends will resolve many of Detroit's blight and high property tax woes.

June 2 - The Detroit News

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.