Urban Housing: A Strategic Role for the States

Abstract

The author argues that states have both the capacity and the opportunity to play a leading role in revitalizing national housing policy. At a time when federal housing programs were declining, state administered housing programs came to the forefront. Detailing the growth of state administered housing policies, the article notes that creative, diverse, flexible, and community planned affordable housing programs being funded by states. States also have opportunities for leadership in housing through coordinated application of state zoning powers in conjunction with state administration of federal housing programs. In conclusion, the article recommends gradually phasing out centralized federal housing in favor of state coordinated programs. Such a goal could be achieved through a national housing policy in which the states would become the centerpiece of a coordinated, multilayered strategy for providing well designed and well managed, neighborhood based, affordable housing.