It’s complicated.
Affordable housing is complicated. Housing inventory is at critical levels and many communities are struggling to find housing solutions to meet the need. While communities look to add housing, they also have to consider how to protect the environment, the neighborhood, the neighbors, the City, and the residents. If you are a community looking to expand housing, consider these principles:
✔️ Community-based developers are partners, so pursue relationship. Community-based developers are positioned to help communities achieve housing goals, but it requires intention around building trust and connection. Work together to outline and achieve common goals around affordable housing.
✔️ Communication is key. Talk to developers about shared vision, goals and ends and leave assumptions at the door. Invite community-based developers into critical conversations around housing.
✔️ Keep it real. Developments involve real numbers impacting real people accomplished with real financing. Grand plans and pie-in-the-sky visioning doesn't get it done. The numbers have to work for the project to be successful.
✔️ Community-based developers generally operate with a mission-over-margin philosophy. Margin isn't the goal; mission is. Consider every change, add-on, delay, and new requirement in light of its cost. Think carefully before adding mandates that create unnecessary barriers or impede affordable housing development.
CDP is doing some exciting projects in the housing arena. As we forge new paths in creative housing solutions, we are thankful for amazing community partners committed to bringing housing to everyone.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
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