The Future of Housing in America

Last week, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan spoke at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Invigorating an auditorium full of scholars, professionals, and members of the general public, Donovan outlined his vision for the future of housing policy in America.

He detailed three general—albeit fascinating—principles that will guide HUD in the current administration:

1) Collaboration with private and third-sector organizations (non-profit community development corporations, resident groups, etc) to bolster civic engagement and embolden federal initiatives

2) A shift to a metropolitan focus, noting the changing nature of cities and suburbs and accounting for the increase of suburban poverty and the permeability of urban borders

3) A data-driven approach to policy formation and evaluation

All general points, to be sure. But they are principles that reflect current research on urban change and illustrate a new administration that values—indeed, requires—future research on urban social processes.

Donovan also discussed a groundbreaking interagency partnership between his department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Transportation. Proposed policies include incorporating transportation costs into mortgage values as well as a concerted effort to build new affordable housing alongside new and existing public transit options. More information on this meeting can be found at Social Science Lite, where I wrote about this exciting new partnership last June.