Here We Grow, a Capital Crossroads initiative led by the Polk County Housing Trust Fund, recently hosted a development stakeholder listening session to gather input from developers on their experiences and what strategic initiatives can credibly produce needed housing supply in the region.
Here We Grow has sought industry feedback in several ways in recent years, which is one part of our broader effort to seek input in a multitude of ways from the community at large. These efforts have included a listening tour of metro cities to learn local government perspectives, public events such as the Housing Matters Symposium, and participation in important local planning processes like the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, among others.
Developer feedback gathered by Here We Grow has produced numerous common themes that continue to inform our effort. Among them:
Regional governments must remain attentive to the impact local regulations (such as those governing zoning and land use) have on the price of housing and housing supply. Stakeholders seek ways to ensure housing quality and life safety needs are met while allowing builders and developers to otherwise produce housing the market demands.
Dialogue about the way projects are approved, such as the timeliness of approvals and the number and type of public meetings required for development approval, are also welcome. Allowing housing to be built "by right," with a focus on clear, efficient processes for approval is a consistent theme in conversations with builders and developers.
There is no one solution to the challenge of rising housing cost. Ongoing, regional dialogue is needed to ensure Central Iowa's reputation as a place of housing opportunity remains strong - and that this reputation extends even further to all people living here, regardless of income.
The Here We Grow team is continuing to develop certain themes we have heard from the builder and developer community in anticipation of publishing a larger white paper on the topic soon.
Those interested in learning more about Here We Grow or how to get involved may contact Kaity Patchett, executive director of Capital Crossroads, at kpatchett@capitalcrossroadsvision.com or Toby O'Berry, executive director of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund at toberry@pchtf.org.
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