In Depth

A closer look at interesting and innovative state and local strategies, activities, and plans that reduce the impact of regulations and
promote affordable housing.

Photograph of buildings in Durham City Center Durham.

Expanding Housing Choices in Durham, North Carolina

Over the past several decades, the city and county of Durham, North Carolina, have experienced sustained and significant population growth driven by a strong regional economy anchored by medical, biotechnical, and educational institutions. Since the 1970s, much of this growth has been accommodated by converting farms and forests into suburban housing, offices, and commercial space.

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Photograph of four mobile homes sited in a mobile home park.

Colorado Legislation Protects Tenants in Mobile Home Parks

Even though they account for fewer than 5 percent of the occupied housing units in Colorado, mobile homes, including manufactured housing complying with HUD standards, are an important component of the state’s housing stock. MORE>

Photograph of the front façade of a detached accessory building, with a tree, lawn, and side façade of the primary building in the foreground.

Reducing Regulation Expands ADU Construction in California

Housing supply in California is constrained by several factors, including zoning that allows single-family houses throughout many jurisdictions while restricting densities that make affordable housing feasible. MORE>

Groundbreaking Efforts in Boston to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing

In 2016, in response to HUD’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule and accompanying assessment tool, the city of Boston began preparing an assessment of fair housing. MORE>

Zoning Reform in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The pace of population growth in Minneapolis from 2010–20 has been unrivaled since 1950. The failure of housing supply to address increasing housing demand due to population growth — between 2010 and 2016 the city added 37,000 residents but only 12,000 housing units — has driven up housing prices. MORE>

Atlanta’s Housing Plan Strives to Make Housing Affordable and Equitable

The Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan region was the third fastest growing area in the U.S. in 2017, with the city of Atlanta adding 486,000 people since 2000. MORE>