More than 20 local leaders from across the country came together to form the National League of Cities (NLC) Housing Task Force, including Seattle Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. The result is a report that includes:
- An analysis of the factors that caused the housing crisis
- Case studies of cities implementing innovative solutions
- Local and national policy recommendations
“The housing crisis looks different in every city, town, and village…”
The report highlights a set of five national housing policy recommendations:
- Immediately stabilize and stem the loss of public and affordable housing.
- Follow emergency intervention with passage of a long-term, stand-alone federal housing bill that authorizes ten years of new funding for pilot programs that advance housing for all.
- Support innovation and modernization of land-use and planning at the local and regional level.
- Fix inequities in housing development and the housing finance system.
- Support scalable innovation and financing for cities, towns, and villages.
It also includes five local recommendations:
- Establish local programs by combining funding and financing streams to support housing goals.
- Modernize local land use policies, including zoning and permitting, to rebalance housing supply and demand.
- Identify and engage broadly with local stakeholders; and coordinate across municipal boundaries, to develop a plan to provide housing opportunities for all.
- Support the needs of distinct sub-populations including the homeless, seniors, and persons with conviction histories.
- Prioritize equitable outcomes in housing decisions as an essential component for success.
“The housing crisis looks different in every city, town, and village,” said NLC President Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor of Gary, Indiana. “Growing cities with robust housing markets have different concerns than legacy cities that have seen jobs dissipate and housing quality deteriorate. We embrace the fact that one of the primary responsibilities of a local leader is to ensure that residents have a place to call home. This report provides a comprehensive guide for local and federal leaders to take much needed action on behalf of communities of all shapes and sizes.”
The report is available for download on NLC’s website.