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Policy Brief Finds Most Cities Do Not Use Land Use Policy to Address Homelessness
The Boston University Initiative on Cities has released a new policy brief that finds most cities do not utilize land authority, including zoning, in their effort to reduce homelessness.
According to the policy brief, the relationship between homelessness and housing costs is well established: communities with higher median housing values experience greater homelessness. Given this, the authors argue that cities play an important role in reducing homelessness through their local land use policy, including zoning and land use policies that can either promote or restrict housing.
The study analyzed the nation’s 100 largest cities and found that slightly over half (54%) had a plan to address homelessness. Of those who did have a plan, only 30% mentioned the role of zoning or land use. According to the report, cities with higher rates of unsheltered homelessness were significantly less likely to mention zoning and land use in their homelessness plans.
The report found that while almost all cities were required to complete state-mandated housing plans, only “18% of all cities over 100 included links between land use and homelessness in their housing plans.” For more information, including federal efforts to limit the use of restrictive land use and zoning, follow this link.
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