Issue

As the shifting housing market alters people's housing preferences—and vice versa—many communities are struggling to re-evaluate their current and future housing plans.

Solution

The groundbreaking Homes for a Changing Region planning process enables municipal leaders to chart future demand and supply trends for housing in their communities and develop long-term housing policy plans based on sound market research and input from their residents.

Homes for a Changing Region is a collaboration between municipal officials, their staff and community residents, led by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and Metropolitan Planning Council.

Since 2005, Homes for a Changing Region has crafted housing policy plans for more than 30 communities. The three most recent Homes processes were conducted as collaborations between clusters of four or five adjacent communities, enabling them to pursue shared strategies and access new resources and tools.

Benefits

Roots plans in market realities. Homes for a Changing Region compares the type and price of each community's existing housing stock with the age, income, and tenure (rental or owner-occupied) of the current and projected population.

Homes for a Changing Region compares the type and price of each community's existing housing stock with the age, income, and tenure (rental or owner-occupied) of the current and projected population. Encourages neighboring communities to collaborate. A subregional housing analysis identifies opportunities for clusters of communities to work together to achieve their shared housing goals.

A subregional housing analysis identifies opportunities for clusters of communities to work together to achieve their shared housing goals. Engages the public in planning. Through a public workshop or online participation process, local residents and businesses can weigh in about the type of housing they want and need in their community.

Through a public workshop or online participation process, local residents and businesses can weigh in about the type of housing they want and need in their community. Promotes policies and strategies that create a balanced, sustainable future housing supply. Homes for a Changing Region plans create a balanced mix of housing, serve current and future populations, and enhance livability.

See the case studies in Home Grown or our five-part Homes for a Changing Region blog series to learn how communities are already taking advantage of the recommendations laid out by their Homes plans.