Open House Roundtables

Public agency representatives from across the country join us for interactive roundtable conversations. Each discussion will last 20 minutes, allowing participants to attend two different roundtables during this block.  Presenters will be focusing on specific housing challenges and opportunities, showcasing active and future programs and projects, seeking input on upcoming proposals, and sharing recent lessons learned.

Table 1: San Diego, California

With many San Diegans struggling to keep up with the rising cost of housing, the City of San Diego has pursued a multi-dimensional approach over the last few years to encourage an increase in housing construction, including affordable housing construction. This roundtable will focus on the City’s comprehensive approach to working with stakeholders in developing and implementing a menu of policies, zoning regulations and streamlined processing efforts the City has taken to help tackle the our housing crisis.

Table 2: Austin & Fort Worth, Texas

As two of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., Austin and Fort Worth have been at the forefront of innovative affordable housing strategies. We explore the diverse approaches these two cities have taken to expand housing options, including density bonus programs and creative financing solutions like gap financing. We cover the roles of various stakeholders in the development process, and examine collaborations between guarantors, partners, and ground lessors are essential for thinking outside the box and achieving sustainable growth in affordable housing.

Table 3: Dallas, Texas

The City of Dallas' Department of Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization will lead a discussion on key developments in their housing strategy. This roundtable will explore how a Racial Equity Audit from 2018 influenced the Dallas Housing Policy 2033 and the Dallas Housing Resource Catalog, adopted in April 2023. The discussion will furthermore cover how data helped identify Equity Strategy Target Areas for focused housing efforts. Additionally, it will emphasize the crucial roles of collaboration, coordination, and community engagement in producing and preserving affordable housing for the City of Dallas.

Table 4: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

What is naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH)? NOAH refers to privately owned rental housing units that are affordable to lower-income households without the need for subsidies or financial assistance. In Mecklenburg County, the need for affordable housing options has become increasingly apparent, especially as the availability of naturally occurring affordable housing diminishes. NOAH properties represent our largest existing affordable housing asset. To address this issue, the Mecklenburg County government, in partnership with organizations like Ascent Housing and the City of Charlotte, is focusing efforts on preserving existing affordable housing, particularly multi-family rental properties that qualify as NOAHs. This strategy involves targeting older apartment communities in neighborhoods with development opportunities but are also vulnerable to gentrification. By implementing this strategy, the aim is to protect current residents from displacement, improve the quality of properties through renovations, and ensure that rents remain affordable for households with incomes ranging at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in the future. This approach combines innovation with collaboration to address the community's pressing need for affordable housing.

Table 5: Anchorage, Alaska

This roundtable explores the challenges faced by Anchorage and cities across America: rising costs, shrinking workforces, and escalating prices. The discussion offer insights from the ACDA's multifaceted approach to alleviating the housing crisis and allows the audience to engage and learn some of the strategies deployed in Anchorage, as we discuss the impacts of similar challenges in their regions, and collaborate on scalable solutions. Come prepared to share approaches to innovative financial strategies, zoning changes, and process improvements that foster attainable housing development. By sharing insights, best practices, and case studies from various U.S. cities, we will all better understand effective housing incentives and how they can be adapted.

Table 6: Cleveland, Ohio

The City of Cleveland Department of Community Development is taking bold steps to address the legacy of housing disinvestment in the city. This roundtable acknowledges the necessity of initiating change to combat generational neglect. It begins with an overview of Cleveland's challenging housing landscape, characterized by decades of decline, and delves into finding opportunities within liabilities and embracing progress over perfection. Key topics will include the Mayor’s South East Side Promise Initiative, which tackles the most pressing housing needs by adopting a holistic, cross-governmental strategy focused on concentrated micro-geographies. Additionally, the Comprehensive Land Bank Reform initiative seeks to transform the city's inventory of over 18,000 vacant land parcels into opportunities for fostering equitable housing and stimulating economic growth. The Home Repair and Rehabilitation Programs employ an innovative implementation vendor model to effectively manage and execute essential home repair initiatives. Finally, Residential Tax Abatement Reform introduces tailored incentives to stimulate market growth within historically disinvested neighborhoods, fostering revitalization and increased investment.

Table 7: Office of Hawaiian Affairs

This roundtable presents a pressing challenge to housing developers: design and deliver rapid, sustainable, and relocatable single-family housing solutions for the survivors of the Lahaina wildfires. Our aim is to construct temporary homes that can be ready within the next six to twelve months to support those who have lost their homes. These structures should offer comfort and a semblance of normalcy to families as they navigate the rebuilding process over the next one to five years. We are specifically looking for innovative designs that move beyond traditional camper and trailer models, emphasizing modularity and ease of relocation. Once their immediate use in Lahaina concludes, these homes should be capable of being moved efficiently to new locations for resale, maximizing their lifecycle and ensuring sustainability. We invite developers to propose creative funding strategies and financing options to support these initiatives. Join us in this crucial discussion on how to help our community recover and thrive with resilience.

Table 8: Orlando, Florida

Join us for an insightful dive into the dynamic landscape of affordable housing strategies and funding mechanisms. This roundtable offers a comprehensive overview of innovative projects like Creative Village, Carver Park, and Parramore Oaks. As the demand for affordable housing continues to rise nationwide, understanding successful models becomes paramount. Gain invaluable insights into the intricacies of funding mechanisms driving these projects forward. From public-private partnerships to tax incentives and grants, discover the tools essential for sustainable development in underserved communities.

 

Table 9: Miami-Dade County, Florida

Leveraging County-owned lands and County controlled zoning policies, Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD) with public-private partnerships is maximizing land to increase densities for mixed-income housing developments. In 2023, research by the University of Florida found the County has a gap of 90,181 affordable and available units for renter households with incomes below 80% of the area median income. This gap is projected to grow to nearly 116,000 units by 2030 unless affordable units are added. The County has an estimated 31,926 cost-burdened homeowners living on 80-120% of the area median income. In a recent visit, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge described Miami as the “…epicenter of the housing crisis in this country”. PHCD is working on multiple solutions to address the supply of affordable and workforce housing in an area where available land is scarce. We will discuss challenges and solutions experienced, while highlighting innovative developments addressing local needs.

Table 10: Fresno, California

Situated within the highest producing agricultural county in the United States, the city of Fresno is comprised of low-wage jobs in a state with some of the highest housing prices in the country. If there were ever a case for the need for affordable housing, look no further than Fresno. Under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Dyer, and amidst what many consider to be a housing crisis in California, Fresno is implementing pro-housing policies and incentivizing housing products new to the Fresno market to meet the needs of its community. This roundtable will focus on the City’s “One Fresno Housing Strategy” which includes a myriad of priorities that include policies, housing products, and housing instruments the City has been pursuing since 2022 to help tackle the our housing crisis.

Table 11: Kansas City, Missouri

Join us for a focused roundtable discussion on Kansas City's innovative strategic housing plans. We will examine the city's comprehensive approach, highlighting key initiatives and partnerships aimed at providing sustainable housing solutions and supportive services. Participants will explore the City's multifaceted strategies, including prevention, rapid rehousing, and funding mechanisms. We will also discuss the challenges faced in implementation and the measurable outcomes that signify progress. This dialogue is designed for stakeholders and policymakers interested in replicating similar frameworks in their communities. Together, we'll explore how strategic planning and community involvement can create impactful change.