Opportunities for Housing Policy: Recommendations for the New HUD Administrator
Four years ago, Housing Policy Debate published several essays directed to the incoming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Dr. Ben Carson), his staff, and other policymakers in Washington, DC, to stimulate thoughtful discussion and recognition of the challenges faced by U.S. cities and regions. Eight editorial advisory board members provided recommendations (see Volume 27, Issue 3) on the topics of affordable housing and transportation accessibility (Acolin, Bernstein, and Wachter), transit-oriented development (Renne), financial regulation and housing policy (Bieri), social and economic importance of housing in the U.S. (Wyly), rental housing programs (McClure), affordable housing (Rohe), and policy implementation (Lubell). It can be argued that HUD (and the U.S.) made little or no progress on these challenging issues during the period from 2017 to 2020, a tumultuous time in American history. Now, with a newly elected administration in place, four of HPD’s editorial advisory board members offer their recommendations in this forum. The essays address short- and long-term federal policy needs (Immergluck), local housing policymaking efforts (Lubell), rental housing affordability (McClure), and the need for bold and immediate action (Wyly). These essays are based on decades of observation and evidence, through economic cycles and partisan differences that have to some degree struggled to adequately address the fundamental needs and sustainability of our communities.
Although these essays are directed to the new Secretary of HUD, Marcia Fudge, we hope that readers and contributors to the Journal will seize on this extremely important time and direct their research toward innovative and transformative solutions, sorely needed in this country and around the world. The mission of Housing Policy Debate focuses on providing an outlet for cutting-edge, original research that informs housing and community development policy.
Edited by
Tom Sanchez(Editor-in-Chief)