Housing Policy Library and Framework

The Housing Policy Framework is designed for local leaders, housing practitioners, planners, advocates, and community stakeholders working to address housing challenges. Whether you are part of a city government, a nonprofit organization, or a regional coalition, the tool helps users at different stages, from those just beginning to explore housing issues to those refining an already existing strategy.

Cities and county leaders can use the framework to identify policy options to advance specific policy objectives, like generating revenue or strengthening housing stability, or to explore the range of policy options within each framework pillar. The framework also serves as a roadmap for developing a comprehensive housing strategy, helping communities assess their existing policies, identify gaps, and prioritize new approaches. Jurisdictions with established housing strategies can use it to refine and strengthen their current efforts. Begin by identifying your community’s key housing challenges, then explore the framework’s categories to determine which policy approaches may be most effective in addressing them.

The Housing Policy Framework and Housing Policy Library are designed to work together. The framework provides the structure — organizing policies into four essential pillars — while the library offers detailed information on each policy tool. As you explore options within the framework, you can dive into the library for deeper insights into how specific policies work, when to use them, and what to consider when implementing them. Together, they help bridge the gap between high-level planning and practical action.

The framework addresses a wide range of housing challenges, including housing affordability, displacement, poor housing quality, and disparities in access to housing. Explore our Policy Objectives to connect those challenges to specific actions.