There are so many ways to address critical housing needs, including market-oriented approaches that offer opportunities like homeownership or rental activities to revitalize communities with new investment. Government leaders are also working on legislation that would allow municipalities to apply for a special designation as an “Attainable Housing Community,” a distinction designed to spur municipalities to think creatively about housing solutions.  Other lawmakers are working on preempting local zoning policies to promote housing construction and protect tenants amid increased evictions. This panel will explore some of the most promising programs and the current and potential obstacles facing them.

The City of Pittsburgh has announced that 11 affordable housing projects in the city will receive more than $15 million in state funding – a testament to the power of collaborating to create positive change.  For Philadelphia to deliver 30,000 new affordable housing units, it will require partnerships with community development corporations, nonprofits, and philanthropists to fund, construct and reach that goal. Philadelphia also offers the “Turn the Key” initiative in which the government provides the land while local banks and minority developers build affordable housing. This panel will discuss what municipal leaders are currently doing – and what options are worth exploring – to improve and increase affordable housing options.