Can Your Town Solve the Housing Crisis?
June 10, 2024 by Charles Marohn, founder of Strong Towns, has long advocated for empowering local governments to address modern challenges effectively. He criticizes America’s reliance on suburban sprawl and advocates for better-designed, less car-centric communities. Marohn’s term “stroad” has entered the urbanist lexicon, describing highway-scaled streets that are dangerous and unpleasant. Now, Marohn emphasizes the urgency of the housing crisis, urging diverse solutions beyond simply building more homes. At a recent conference with the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), the focus was on reconciling urban ideals with the pressing need for housing. The discussions highlighted the need for market-based solutions and local zoning reforms to create diverse housing options. Attendees emphasized incremental development and grassroots initiatives to address the housing gap. Cities like Cincinnati are rewriting zoning codes to promote higher density and mixed-use developments. The conversation also touched on financing mechanisms like tax increment financing (TIF) and micro-grants to support housing initiatives. Overall, the conference underscored the importance of local action in tackling the housing crisis and fostering sustainable communities.