State-Based Housing Coalitions Lead the Way to Local Solutions

As housing affordability and supply challenges intensify nationwide, states are recognizing that comprehensive solutions require broad collaboration.

In places like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Hampshire, coalitions of business leaders, housing advocates, planners, and community members are coming together to craft policies that reflect their communities' unique needs. These coalitions are not just pointing out problems — they're proposing real policy changes aimed at increasing the supply of homes, reducing barriers to development, and providing a greater variety of housing options.

Pennsylvania Housing Choices Coalition

Advocating for Inclusive Zoning Reforms

In collaboration with the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, APA Pennsylvania is joining organizations from across the Commonwealth to form the Pennsylvania Housing Choices Coalition, a statewide alliance aiming to tackle the Commonwealth's housing shortage. With over 105,000 homes needed to meet current demands, the coalition emphasizes that zoning reform can eliminate barriers that stand in the way of producing more housing options.

Coalition Goals:

• Advocate for legislation that re-legalizes diverse housing types — including duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes — to increase affordability and accessibility.
• Promote the construction of starter homes and workforce housing near job centers and transit hubs to reduce commute times and environmental impact.
• Encourage all communities to contribute to housing solutions, recognizing that regional challenges require collective action.

By updating or eliminating restrictive land use regulations, the coalition seeks to create policies that will support increased housing supply across Pennsylvania.

Home Matters to Ohio

Strengthening State Housing Programs

Home Matters to Ohio is a coalition of housing advocates and industry leaders, like APA Ohio, focused on expanding and enhancing housing opportunities across the state. Building on progress made in cities like Columbus with its strides in zoning reform and recognizing the multifaceted nature of housing needs, the coalition has developed a comprehensive platform with four primary policy goals.

Coalition Goals:

• Improve existing initiatives like the Ohio Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Welcome Home Ohio Program to better serve communities.
• Advocate for updated zoning laws to unlock market potential and facilitate varied housing developments.
• Emphasize the importance of stable housing in achieving broader social and economic goals.
• Promote the development and preservation of various housing types to meet the needs of all Ohioans.

A central focus is safeguarding the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, the state's primary source of funding for affordable housing, ensuring its sustainability amidst changing economic conditions.

Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook

State Funding as a tool for planning

As federal funding programs are changed, reduced, or curtailed, localities are increasingly looking to states to supplement their financial efforts to increase housing supply. See four ways to use state funding for local housing action.

Get the Playbook

New Hampshire Housing Supply Coalition

Legislative Reforms for Housing Growth

The New Hampshire Housing Supply Coalition, led by the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire and key planning leaders in the state, addresses the state's escalating housing costs and limited supply. With housing prices rising 59 percent over the past four years, the coalition presents a three-pillar legislative agenda for 2025.

Coalition Goals:

• Propose adjustments to zoning laws to allow for accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and increased density, facilitating the development of starter homes.
• Streamline permitting processes to reduce development time and costs, thereby accelerating housing production.
• Increase funding for affordable housing programs and incentivize municipalities through initiatives like the Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program.

These reforms aim to balance the state's economic growth with the need for housing affordability and opportunity at all income levels.

Planners' Seat At The Table

While each coalition operates within its state's unique context, they share a common goal: to increase housing abundance through strategic policy reforms and program enhancements. To achieve this, it's critical that planners are at the table. With their deep understanding of local challenges and community dynamics, planners are uniquely positioned to identify which policies need to change — and how.

By advocating for intentional zoning reforms, strengthening housing programs, and streamlining development and regulatory processes, these coalitions are one way planners can help create more sustainable housing solutions.

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