Report Explores Local Government Solutions for Housing Supply and Affordability Challenges

[jar546]

Innovative Approaches to Tackle Housing Challenges: A Call for Local Leadership

Amid a nationwide housing deficit of nearly 4 million units, local governments find themselves at the forefront of addressing the crisis. A recent report, The Case for Innovation in Housing: How Local Governments Can Drive Solutions, explores transformative strategies to combat systemic barriers, increase housing supply, and promote equity in homeownership. The report emphasizes the vital role local policymakers play in creating conditions for scalable, innovative solutions.

Wealth Justice and Access to Homeownership​

Historical discrimination, from redlining to restrictive covenants, has left minority communities with limited access to property ownership. Programs like Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trusts (MINTs) and Frolic aim to counteract these injustices. MINTs empower neighborhoods to maintain affordability while attracting investment, leveraging both market-rate and income-restricted units. Frolic, based in Seattle, transforms single-family homes into multi-family cooperatives, reducing costs for homeowners and enabling affordable down payments for new buyers. In Alaska, the Success Starts with Me initiative supports tribal communities by constructing sustainable homes and fostering financial readiness, blending traditional practices with innovative lending solutions.

Bolstering Housing Supply Through Industrialized Construction​

The housing shortage demands faster, cost-effective construction solutions. Industrialized methods like modular and prefabricated construction are making a significant impact. Projects such as Module’s Last Mile Network in Pittsburgh develop all-electric, energy-efficient homes, providing skilled jobs in disinvested communities. DreamBuild, originating in Texas, introduces "grow homes" that evolve with a family's needs while maintaining affordability. Meanwhile, Connect Shelter by Connect Homes adapts industrial techniques to create both luxury residences and rapid-deployment homeless shelters, highlighting the versatility of prefabrication.

Overcoming Systemic Barriers to Homelessness​

Innovative housing models like The Homecoming Project and Housing Connector prioritize stable transitions for vulnerable populations. These programs emphasize community integration, pairing returning citizens with supportive households or leveraging technology to simplify the housing search for caseworkers and landlords.

Challenges and Recommendations​

The report identifies common hurdles such as community resistance, regulatory bottlenecks, and funding gaps. Recommendations include proactive investment in at-risk neighborhoods, streamlined permitting for innovative construction methods, and fostering partnerships between public and private sectors. Local governments are encouraged to act as both enablers and implementers of housing innovation, aligning resources to prevent displacement and improve accessibility.

This forward-thinking report illustrates how local governments can transform housing challenges into opportunities, fostering equity and sustainability in their communities. As policymakers navigate the complexities of housing reform, these case studies provide a roadmap to meaningful, scalable solutions.

 

[Joe.B]

I just got this today, I'm probably going to get involved.

 

[Yikes]

I just got this today, I'm probably going to get involved.

I think the low-hanging fruit in California would be related to Project Homekey, the reuse of underutilized motels as homeless housing. Changing the length of stay to from transitory to longer than 30 days is treated as a change of occupancy, which then triggers a bunch of facility upgrades.

In older versions of the code, hotels and apartments were treated as the same occupancy, and changing the length of stay did not trigger change of use upgrades.

 

[jar546]

I just got this today, I'm probably going to get involved.

It looks like a pretty well-intended initiative for housing. If I were involved, I would collaborate soon on this one.

 

[Joe.B]

It looks like a pretty well-intended initiative for housing. If I were involved, I would collaborate soon on this one.

Yup, I'll be knocking this out over the next few days and get it sent out by Wednesday of next week. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, I'd love to include them.

 

[Joe.B]

I think the low-hanging fruit in California would be related to Project Homekey, the reuse of underutilized motels as homeless housing. Changing the length of stay to from transitory to longer than 30 days is treated as a change of occupancy, which then triggers a bunch of facility upgrades.

In older versions of the code, hotels and apartments were treated as the same occupancy, and changing the length of stay did not trigger change of use upgrades.

Yup, I've permitted two home-key projects here and they were both pretty straight forward. The hardest thing to convince the contractors and owners of was yes, you do have to have a separate kitchen sink in the kitchenette area, the bathroom lavatory can't serve as both. "But it's outside of the bathroom". Sorry, don't care, follow your approved plans.

The other one had to add sprinklers, but they didn't complain one bit, they said even if I didn't require it their insurance would have anyways. That particular project has already had two separate units completely destroyed by fires. The sprinklers kept it contained to the one unit, and the alarm had the FD there in less than 10 minutes each time.

 

[jar546]

Yup, I'll be knocking this out over the next few days and get it sent out by Wednesday of next week. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, I'd love to include them.

I think simplified compliance paths for older structures could make energy and insulation upgrades more practical, focusing on total energy reduction rather than strict prescriptive requirements. Advanced fire suppression systems might also serve as an alternative to meeting full modern fire-rating requirements in some cases. For water and sewer, incorporating gray water reuse systems (if possible) or other innovative solutions could ease infrastructure demands. Finally, creative approaches to habitability such as shared egress systems or exceptions for historic buildings—could go a long way in making projects more feasible while keeping safety intact. It will be interesting to see what happens to this. Now, I wish I was working in CA.

 

[Joe.B]

I think simplified compliance paths for older structures could make energy and insulation upgrades more practical, focusing on total energy reduction rather than strict prescriptive requirements. Advanced fire suppression systems might also serve as an alternative to meeting full modern fire-rating requirements in some cases. For water and sewer, incorporating gray water reuse systems (if possible) or other innovative solutions could ease infrastructure demands. Finally, creative approaches to habitability such as shared egress systems or exceptions for historic buildings—could go a long way in making projects more feasible while keeping safety intact. It will be interesting to see what happens to this. Now, I wish I was working in CA.

Thanks, that's great feedback. I'll share what I come up with here as well.

Did you apply for that Hayward job? I think you said no because you need to get past a certain number of years in the system that you're in now?

 

[jar546]

Thanks, that's great feedback. I'll share what I come up with here as well.

Did you apply for that Hayward job? I think you said no because you need to get past a certain number of years in the system that you're in now?

No because I need 3 more years here.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Below is what Montana has amended for sprinkler requirements in an R occupancy. Item 2 was intended for this type of motel/apartment design. Personally I would prefer it be limited to a maximum 2 stories in lieu of the 3 that is permitted.

(17) Delete Subsection 903.2.8, Group R, and replace with the following:
1. An approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3, Installation Requirements, shall be provided in all Group R buildings meeting any of the following criteria
a. 9 or more transient guests or 5 or more transient guestrooms in R-1 or R-2 occupancies;
b. 9 or more occupants in other than dwelling units;
c. 5 or more dwelling units; or
d. more than 2 stories in other than dwelling units.

2. In lieu of the above required automatic sprinkler system in buildings not more than three stories above the lowest level of exit discharge, each dwelling or sleeping unit may be provided with at least one door leading directly to an exterior exit access that leads directly to approved exits.