APA News

Partnership to Accelerate & Incentivize Diverse Housing Supply Announced

CHICAGO (Jan. 23, 2023) — The National League of Cities (NLC) and the American Planning Association (APA) have launched the Housing Supply Accelerator, a national campaign to advance and incentivize local approaches to land use, zoning and housing development and preservation. The campaign will focus on improving efforts locally to address housing needs and housing production goals, including local government and private-sector capacity, identifying critical solutions, and encouraging systemic changes that enable local elected officials and developers to work together.

"Solving today's housing crisis is going to require partnering across sectors to find solutions together," said NLC President Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma, Washington. "On behalf of NLC, I am thrilled to partner with the American Planning Association and leaders in the public and private sectors over the next year so that we can work toward a future where every resident in every city, town, and village has a safe and affordable place to call home."

APA and NLC will convene local government officials, community planners, builders, financial institutions, housing policy associations as well as state and federal partners to develop, align, and advance locally-driven housing supply solutions.

"Boosting the supply, availability, and diversity of housing options is essential to expanding opportunity and affordability for all. As communities across the country are confronting an expanding housing crisis, the need for reform has never been greater. This crisis threatens our economy, limits access to opportunity, reinforces long-standing inequities, and undermines efforts to create more sustainable places," said Angela D. Brooks, FAICP, APA President. "Today's launch of the Housing Supply Accelerator shows the commitment of community planners and local officials to work together to find solutions and build momentum for a common agenda. Together, we can speed the adoption of policies that will reform zoning and increase housing choice in communities across the nation."

This solutions-oriented campaign will provide model practices, ordinances, and actionable resources to help local communities address their unique housing challenges. These efforts will be designed for immediate implementation by local leaders, planners, and others working to combat the housing crisis.

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The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America's cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy, and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides vital leadership in creating great communities for all. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the profession of planning, offering better choices for where and how people work and live. APA's 41,000 members work in concert with community residents, civic leaders, and business interests to create communities that enrich people's lives. Connect with APA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Media Contact: Roberta Rewers, APA Sr. Communications Manager, 312.786.6395; rrewers@planning.org


January 23, 2023