Housing Matters: Exploring the housing continuum

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you already know that housing is an important community asset. You know that housing matters. But what kind of housing matters to you? Most of us who are concerned about affordable housing have a niche. We tend to focus on one aspect, whether it be home ownership, rental housing, or housing for the homeless. For people outside of the housing field, housing comes in two forms - rental and home ownership. Yet, the  solution to our communities' affordable housing problems requires a more holistic approach that focuses on a continuum of housing options.

I have hope that a new resource offered by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity will advance this discussion.  Their new Housing Matters! website includes a tool that explores the continuum of housing by asking What Does the Solution Look Like?. In addition to offering a fun learning activity, it is a great source of information on the continuum of housing choices (it includes shelters and supportive housing) needed for a healthy housing market. 

 I applaud Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for their efforts to educate the public about the need for other forms of housing. As an organization that focuses on home ownership, it would be easy to just stick within their niche.  The best thinking about affordable housing will take place when we all start thinking beyond our niche and begin looking at the need for, and relationships between, various housing options.

In coming weeks, I will highlight other Housing Matters! resources. In the meantime, I encourage you to check it out.