Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge
The Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge, an initiative of the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities, is a nationwide network designed to accelerate the implementation of proven and innovative housing strategies and expand the supply of housing in communities across the country.
Rooted in action and results, the challenge will support local leaders to put the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook: Solutions, Systems, Partnerships into practice. Participating communities will gain access to best practices, technical assistance, housing supply experts, and a peer exchange.
Ready to Accelerate Your Community Local Housing Supply?
Program Scope
Through the Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge, the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities will accept up to 30 communities annually. Applications for the challenge will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Based on your responses, your community may be selected to join the Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge and receive one of three designations: Adopter, Accelerator, or Innovator.
| Community Stage Designation | Description |
|---|---|
| Adopter(s) | Communities are starting to understand the depth of their local housing supply challenges. |
| Accelerator(s) | Communities have adopted and implemented housing strategies with specific recommendations for addressing housing supply deficiencies and have established formalized public-private collaborations to overcome these challenges. |
| Innovator(s) | Communities that have been addressing their housing challenges through innovative, risk-informed policies and practices, and are coordinating funding and resources through effective and strong public-private partnerships. |
Based on the designation, your community will have access to:
- The Housing Supply Accelerator framework to accelerate your community's housing supply work.
- Tools to identify needs, implement changes, and evaluate your community's impact.
- Access to timely technical assistance and coaching by housing supply experts.
- Information on local, regional, and national grant opportunities.
- National recognition from the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities.
| Activity | Adopter(s) | Accelerator(s) | Innovator(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Lab | X | ||
| Coaching | X | X | |
| Webinars | X | X | X |
| Peer Exchange | X | X | X |
| Technical Assistance Opportunities | X | X |
Start by completing the Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge Self-Assessment, a 15-question quiz that evaluates your community's readiness in key areas, including:
- Political leadership and will
- Current housing policies and practices
- Funding strategies
- Public-private partnerships
- Sustainability and infrastructure
- Land use and zoning regulations
Participation Requirements
- Be an active participant in the Housing Supply Challenge for the next 18 months.
- Utilize the Housing Supply Accelerator Framework and apply lessons to your local context.
- Identify at least two (2) city staff members to serve as lead participants for the city's involvement, with additional participation from across city departments, agencies, and local community partner organizations highly encouraged.
- Complete an initial onboarding survey, periodic progress reports, and a final feedback survey at the end of each technical assistance offering.
About the Housing Supply Accelerator
A partnership between the American Planning Association (APA) and the National League of Cities (NLC), the Housing Supply Accelerator was created to help communities tackle their local housing challenges.
The campaign is narrowly focused on identifying locally driven housing supply solutions that expand, preserve, and improve the quantity and quality of housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question not answered here? View the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the team at housing@planning.org.
This work was made possible by the generous support of Amazon and the National Apartment Association