The Role of Housing in Creating Vibrant Urban Communities

Session Summary: It’s everywhere in the news; downtowns are suffering. As the pandemic disrupted in-person office culture, less foot traffic in these areas has negatively impacted retail, small businesses, public space, transportation, and public safety. However, the focus has been on office-to-residential and other anchors to bring people back downtown. This panel focused on the opportunity for affordable and mixed-income housing to reshape their communities and provide economic mobility for their residents. With the right place-based strategies and intentional community partnerships, housing developments can be a platform for a community’s soul and provide downtowns and urban centers with a new identity.  The panelists shared strategies for leveraging mixed-income housing developments to create great places with amenities and economic opportunities, for residents and visitors alike.