Turning Ideas into Actions

Creating and Preserving Housing Units

There are five steps involved in addressing the housing crisis in the community:

• Understanding the problem;
• Building awareness;
• Identifying Solutions;
• Implement strategies; and
• Measure and Monitor success

1. Understanding the problem

The first step in addressing a community’s housing crisis is understanding the problem.  In order to understand the problem, a community needs to gather data regarding housing needs and housing costs, as well as regarding the effect unaffordable housing is having on the businesses in the community and on the social fabric of the community.

This step typically takes the form of a housing needs assessment whereby existing data, such as census data, employment data, and community data is the analyzed to develop a picture of the housing situation in the community.  This may also include the collection of new primary data using techniques such as surveys and interviews with community residents and key officials and community leaders.

Research Services

Prosperous Communities has a wealth of experience in collecting and analyzing the community data and using this data to develop a profile of the community’s housing needs.  Depending on requirements of the community, Prosperous Communities’ may use Census data, American Community Survey data, local Realtor data, and other survey and interview data to evaluate the housing need.  Our evaluation may also include an analysis of the employment patterns in the community, wage levels for types of work, and the effect housing prices have on local businesses. 

When working with communities where second homes are prevalent, we also focus on the effects second homes have on the housing market and on the local economy

2.  Build Public Awareness

Once the housing needs assessment has been completed, the next step is to build community awareness regarding the problem.

This step generally encompasses a series of public outreach events designed to first inform the public of the problem and then to build community and political buy-in for the solutions process. 

Public outreach events can include articles in the local newspaper or stories on the local television or radio stations, public forums where the results of the housing needs assessment are presented to the community; and workshops where ideas and solutions from other places are presented and discussed.

Community Outreach Services

Through our training programs and workshops, and Dr. Hettinger’s speeches and keynotes, Prosperous Communities is able to assist in building community awareness of a housing crisis, and in building community and political buy-in for the solutions process.

 3.  Identify Solutions

Once the housing needs are understood, and the community and political leaders have bought into the existence of a housing crisis and the need to address this crisis, the next step is to identify potential solutions.

This step typically entails a review of housing solutions that have been utilized in other communities.  This also includes a review of the strengths of the community and available local resources.

In this step it is important to understand that there are many solutions that have been implemented in other communities, and that their degree of success varies widely.  It is important to understand which strategies are effective in which places and why. 

It is also important to understand that successful communities typically combine several solutions when developing their strategies.  Successful communities do not rely solely on a single program or solution.

Housing Solutions Services

Understanding the universe of housing solutions that are available and the keys to implementing these housing solutions is critical to developing an effective housing intervention process. 

Prosperous Communities can help you identify the housing solutions that have worked in communities similar to yours and to understand the critical success factors for the implementation of those housing programs.

Prosperous communities can also evaluate housing program proposals for comparison to industry best practices and can assist you in creating a program that incorporates these best practices.

4. Implement Strategies

Following a review of available solutions, the next step is to develop and implement the selected strategies. 

Of all the steps in the process, this one is often the most difficult. 

Many communities have taken the steps of conducting a housing needs assessment and evaluating the various housing solutions available, but do not take the next step and implement those solutions.

In order to effectively implement housing solutions, the community must develop a strategic action plan.  This plan should include a series of strategic action steps which will guide the implementation of the solutions

The strategic action plan should include a series of housing goals, the strategies and solutions to be used to achieve each of these goals, and identify and designate the parties or organizations responsible for achieving each of these goals.

The strategic action plan defines how to turn your ideas into actions.

During this phase, it is critical that a community understand the critical success factors to implementing a housing intervention program and the leadership techniques necessary to implement the strategies and apply these techniques as programs are developed and implemented.

Strategic Planning Services

Prosperous Communities can assist you in identifying the most effective housing solutions and in developing a strategic action plan to guide your efforts in implementing the solutions. 

Typically, the strategic planning process entails meetings with key community leaders and housing advocates, and community strategic planning workshops.  The outputs of this process include a written strategic plan, including specific housing goals, the specific solutions identified to achieve these goals, the action steps necessary to implement the solutions, and the assignment of the action steps to specific individuals and organizations. 

The chief outcome of the strategic planning process is a strategic action plan which outlines how the community will turn its ideas (solutions) into the actions and results (housing units and economic vitality).

 5. Measuring Success

There is an old saying, “What gets measured, gets done.”

It is very important that specific housing goals be established as part of the strategic action plan.  These goals can be used as benchmarks to measure the progress of the plan, and to make midcourse adjustments should circumstances change. 

These goals can also be used to publicize the results when specific milestones are reached, such as when ground is broken for a new development, or families move in to their new homes.

Measurement and Monitoring Services

Prosperous Communities will work with you to establish realistic housing goals; devise benchmarks to monitor progress towards these goals; and measure the success of programs.

Prosperous Communities will also work with you to devise strategies to publicize your successes and to keep workforce and affordable housing as a visible and important issue within your community.

Our Guarantee

At Prosperous Communities, we guarantee our work.  All of our consulting engagements include a guarantee that if you are not satisfied with our work we will work with you to make it right or refund your fee.