Reasoning & Evidence
Rising housing costs pose threats to communities and exacerbate structural housing disparities. To prevent displacement and social isolation, affordable housing options must be ensured and protected. Housing has a notorious history of segregating communities, and the effects of redlining can still be seen.(12–13) Developing affordable housing in quality, desirable locations can work to rectify housing disparities while increasing social inclusion and preserving communities. Well-designed low-income housing developments can revitalize high-poverty neighborhoods to reduce concentrated disadvantage and housing insecurity. Living in designated, affordable housing units is correlated to increased social networks, which can be leveraged to achieve better individual outcomes.(6) Mixed-income developments support the formation of diverse communities that foster social inclusion as long as the design and maintenance of properties are consistent across income groups and do not appear visibly distinct or inferior.(66) However, research shows that mixed housing often doesn’t lead to mixed income connections, especially when there is a visible difference—or differences in organized maintenance programs or services—between the types of housing, which can create stigma and perceived separation between cohorts.(66) Additionally, these neighborhoods create space for residents to form relationships across income divides, which has been linked to better upward mobility and positive social capital.(7) The U.S. Federal government is incentivizing developers to pursue mixed-income neighborhoods through the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, which provides grants to increase the quantity and quality of affordable housing options.(8) While bolstering affordable housing options can support low-income individuals, housing affordability can still be problematic for middle-income folks who do not meet the income requirements for affordable housing.(59) The term missing middle housing, coined in 2010, refers to smaller multi-unit housing options like duplexes and fourplexes, which have been driven out of the market by exclusionary single-family home zoning laws.(60) While often overlooked, these options can alleviate strain for middle income households and have been shown to strengthen community through shared spaces and improve neighborhood cohesion.(61) Ensuring affordable housing not only refers to the physical address but also includes all the essential amenities to leading a healthy, connected life, like access to clean water and broadband connection. Internet connection is integrated into nearly every aspect of our daily lives, and it is essential for pursuing employment and education options, telehealth, and fostering our social connections.(9) The federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided financial assistance to 23 million U.S. households, was recently discontinued. Users are encouraged to look into other federal programs that can assist with affording internet access, such as the FCC Lifeline, so that they can stay connected.(10)
Examples of Community Implementation
Flint, Michigan: The Atherton East neighborhood in Flint is being redeveloped into a modern, affordable housing development, using the Choice Neighborhood Initiative to repair Black and immigrant neighborhoods that were displaced and segregated in the past. Improvement efforts include rehabilitation of building exteriors, repurposing empty parking lots, enhancements to parks and the Grand Traverse Greenway Trail, and creating safe and complete streets, all of which are anticipated to revitalize this neighborhood into a vibrant, cultural hub. Discover more success stories of Choice Neighborhoods here.
Washington, DC: The Barry Farm neighborhood is a public housing project that was originally built in 1943 with strong African American roots and is preserved today as an affordable housing neighborhood. The Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is partnering with this community under the New Communities Initiative to redevelop the site to incorporate mixed-use land and mixed-income units. The goal of POAH is to preserve the original resident community while increasing economic opportunities, family support services, adding a mix of unit types, and a 2.4 acre community park. The plan includes refurbishing 480 existing affordable housing units, as well as adding 620 new units and 40K square feet of new retail services and public infrastructure.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework: Housing Sector Supplemental Brief
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