Resources

There are many websites to visit to learn more about affordable housing. Here are our picks for the most helpful in providing guidance:

  • Housing First
    A year long special reporting project on NPR, Housing First is an opportunity to learn more about housing issues through the media.
  • Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
    Offers programs, housing and funding to communities to serve those with low to moderate incomes.
  • Citizens Housing and Planning Association
    Is involved in local, state and federal advocacy; research and provides education and training for organizations and individuals. The website includes information on Chapter 40B, Section 8, an affordable housing consultant search, a housing lottery list and other helpful links.
  • Affordable Housing Design Advisor
    Highlights examples of existing affordable housing projects and tools for good housing design as well as guidelines for green housing design.
  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation - Resources
    Lists funding opportunities and an online resource library for those interested in affordable housing, planning and land development.
  • KnowledgePlex
    Intended for non- and for-profit development organizations and public agencies, a variety of articles are offered on affordable housing, current statistical information available.
  • The Enterprise Foundation
    Provides various support for Community Development Corporations, there are offices across the United States, the closest being New York City.
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development
    Includes available funding resources and affordable housing particular to Massachusetts. Also explains HUD�s affordable housing programs, affordable housing laws/regulations, information on receiving housing assistance and an affordable housing library.
  • Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
    Includes links to important regional planning information for the following communities: Amesbury, Salisbury, Merrimac, Haverhill, Newbury, West Newbury, Newburyport, Groveland, Georgetown, Rowley, Boxford, Andover, North Andover, Lawrence and Methuen.
  • Metropolitan Area Planning Commission
    Includes links to important regional planning information for the 101 cities and towns that make up greater Boston and provides resources to assist those cities and towns to address housing issues. MAPC’s North Shore Task Force includes representatives from: Beverly, Middleton, Danvers, Peabody, Essex, Rockport, Gloucester, Salem, Hamilton, Swampscott, Ipswich, Topsfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Wenham and Marblehead.
  • Metropolitan Area Planning Commission MetroFuture Project
    MetroFuture is the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission’s initiative to update the ten-year-old MetroPlan. Working with regional partners, Metrofuture promises widespread participation to develop a vision and strategy for Metro Boston. The group is using new technologies and participation methods to have full and informed public engagement.
  • Massachusetts Association of Realtors – Housing and Research Data
    Current housing market trends and statistics, profiles and an invaluable value calculator for homeowners interested in remodeling.
  • Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston
    A non profit organization directed solely at eliminating housing discrimination, includes housing resources, specific anti-discrimination statutes and advocacy for homebuyers.
  • Smart Growth America
    The organization is made up of a coalition of community-based organizations who support citizen-driven planning, the website includes an easy to understand guide to the affordable housing shortage.
  • Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University
    Based at Northeastern University, it is a place where faculty, staff, and students pool their expertise, resources, and commitment to address the issues facing the Greater Boston region. Working with local Boston neighborhoods and organizations, there is an array of ongoing community development projects.
  • Urban Land Institute
    ULI’s Community Outreach and Policy and Practice departments work collaboratively to organize forums and produce publications on ways to address the shrinking supply of housing that is affordable to moderate-income households. The workshops and trainings are worldwide in scope.
  • P.B.S. Point of View Flag Wars
    A documentary by Linda Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras addresses gentrification. PBS website includes more information and discussion of the issue.
  • EconData.net
    Includes over 1,000 links to socioeconomic data sources for finding regional economic data.
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition
    Dedicated to eliminating the housing shortage in the US, focusing on the lowest income families. Includes a directory of partner organizations in Massachusetts, polls, research reports and data are among the resources available.
  • Planners Web
    Comprehensive and easy to understand information on zoning, land use laws, environmental factors and many more city and regional planning resources.
  • Planetizen – the Planning and Development Network
    A planning and development network, including a compilation of newspaper articles regarding housing and consultant listings.
  • HUD USER – Policy Development and Research Information Service
    Includes over 800 publications and datasets related to housing information and research, mostly free.
  • American Planning Association
    This website has links to all things planning related: articles, downloads, public resource information, and educational materials.