{"id":2817,"date":"2026-06-26T15:16:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/?page_id=2817"},"modified":"2026-06-26T16:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:28:14","slug":"housing-development-toolkit-planning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/housing-development-toolkit-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Housing Development Toolkit – Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PLANNING \u00a0<\/strong>| \u00a0<\/strong>The “P” Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Planning for Housing: Why It Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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A well-structured housing action plan helps local leaders address current and future housing needs in a strategic, inclusive, and actionable way. Unlike a comprehensive plan\u2014which typically covers a wide range of community issues like land use, transportation, and economic development\u2014a housing action plan focuses specifically on housing challenges and solutions. <\/strong>It is often more nimble, targeted, and implementation-oriented, making it especially useful for small towns and rural communities with limited capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The guide that follows, Smart Start Housing Planning Guide, was adapted from the PLAN framework from Local Housing Solutions.\u00a0 It contains a simplified checklist of recommended steps with customized input from MPP staff, designed to help mayors and municipal leaders move from vision to action.<\/p>\n

Planning Steps<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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1. Lay the Groundwork\/Build your Planning Foundation<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Get organized internally before launching a formal planning process.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n
2. Gather and Analyze Existing HOUSING conditions<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Know where your community stands before deciding where it\u2019s going.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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3.\u00a0Engage the Community<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Make sure the strategy reflects community values and lived experiences.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n
4.\u00a0Define a Shared Vision and Goals<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Set the foundation for policies and action.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n
5. Develop Policy Strategies and Implementation Tools<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Identify how to achieve the vision and goals.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n
6. Draft and Review the Housing Strategy<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Put all the work into a formal document and prepare for adoption.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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7.\u00a0Adopt and Use the Strategy<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Turn the Strategy into official policy to guide decision-making.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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8. Monitor, Report, and Update<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Keep the strategy alive, relevant, and effective.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Smart Start Planning Guide<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This checklist is adapted from the PLAN framework developed by Local Housing Solutions, a project of the Housing Solutions Lab at NYU Furman Center, and customized for the Mayors\u2019 Partnership for Progress.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Download Planning Guide<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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TOOLS AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EXAMPLES\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"American<\/span><\/div>
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STEVEN BURSTEIN, AICP<\/strong><\/span>
\nComprehensive Plan Template<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

The\u00a0Comprehensive Plan Template<\/em>\u00a0by Steven Burstein, AICP, is a practical guide designed to help municipalities structure and draft a comprehensive plan. It outlines key elements such as land use, housing, transportation, and economic development, and includes steps for public engagement, data analysis, and implementation.<\/p>\n

Though developed for New Mexico, its flexible format and best practices are broadly applicable to small communities nationwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Download Plan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Plan<\/span><\/div>
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
\n<\/strong>Village of Newtown Comprehensive Plan (2021)<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

Located in Hamilton County, Newtown is a small village that developed its comprehensive plan to guide future growth while preserving its rural character.\u00a0The plan addresses land use, transportation, housing, and environmental sustainability, providing a framework for decision-making that reflects community values.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Download Plan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Choose<\/span><\/div>
ROSS COUNTY, OHIO<\/strong><\/span>
\nCity of Chillicothe Comprehensive Plan (2023)<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
The\u00a0Choose Chillicothe<\/em>\u00a0Comprehensive Plan is a community-driven blueprint designed to guide the city’s development over the next 10 to 15 years.\u00a0Developed through extensive public engagement, the plan outlines 73 actionable strategies focusing on areas such as land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and infrastructure.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>
Download Plan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Village<\/span><\/div>
ALLEN COUNTY, OHIO<\/span>
\nVillage of Lafayette Comprehensive Plan (2012)<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n
The Village of Lafayette’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan provides a strategic framework for future development, focusing on land use, transportation, housing, and community facilities.\u00a0The plan emphasizes preserving the village’s rural character while accommodating growth and enhancing quality of life.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>
Download Plan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Delaware<\/span><\/div>
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DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO
\n<\/strong><\/span>City of Delaware Comprehensive Plan (2021<\/span>)<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
The\u00a0Delaware Together<\/em>\u00a0Comprehensive Plan was developed through a process that integrated input from community members and key stakeholders with the assistance of a consulting firm specializing in Comprehensive Plans. Participants offered thousands of ideas and suggestions that helped to shape the plan\u2019s recommended actions. This process began in early 2018 and culminated with City Council approval in Spring 2021.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>
Download Plan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"NYU<\/span><\/div>
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NYU FURMAN CENTER
\n<\/strong><\/span>The Housing Solutions Lab<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
The Housing Solutions Lab at the NYU Furman Center helps small and midsize cities plan, launch, and evaluate evidence-based local housing policies that advance racial equity; increase access to opportunity; and improve long-term health and wellbeing for residents. Support for the Housing Solutions Lab is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.<\/div>\n<\/div>
Download Plan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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PLANNING RESOURCES \u00a0| \u00a0<\/strong>Data for Your Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Municipal Data<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Old<\/span><\/div>
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Zillow – Housing Data<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Searchable by various geographies, includes some municipal data by zip code.\u00a0\u00a0Use to access current and forecasted Home Values and Rental information, an inventory of For-Sale listings, sales, days on the market, etc.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Two<\/span><\/div>
ESRI Business Analyst – Housing Report and housing variables<\/strong><\/h5>\n
MPP staff have access to data and individuals skilled in ESRI Business Analyst. If you need help understanding the demographics of your community, identifying needs, and making informed, data-driven decisions about issues like public safety, infrastructure management, and zoning, the MPP and the staff at the Voinovich School can help.\u00a0\u00a0Contact us today.<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Home<\/span><\/div>
HUD User Fair Market Rents<\/strong><\/h5>\n
This data is used to determine payment standard amounts for compliance with various HUD funding programs. This is updated at the start of every federal fiscal year (generally October 1).<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Map.\"<\/span><\/div>
HUD LMI by Block Group<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Identifies US Census Block Groups in which 51% or more of the households earn less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Visually identifies, by block group, eligibility for assistance from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, with respect to activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons.<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Census<\/span><\/div>
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Census – Housing Tables<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Many tables available at County and higher level, fewer available at Place level<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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State, Metro, Regional, US Data \u2013 HIGH LEVEL DATA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"White<\/span><\/div>
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Enterprise Community Partners<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
National nonprofit organization that focuses on creating affordable housing and promoting community development.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Playground.\"<\/span><\/div>
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5 Creative Incentive Programs that MIGHT Inspire your next Move<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Relocation Program Examples from Across The Country to help those considering a move to make a decision.<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Blue<\/span><\/div>
National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)<\/strong><\/h5>\n
An organization that promotes fair access to credit, capital, and housing in underserved communities.\u00a0\u00a0They offer resources, research, and advocacy tools to guide regional public investment in housing affordability.\u00a0\u00a0They provide expertise on community reinvestmetn, fair housing policies, and quitable development practices.<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"White<\/span><\/div>
National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)<\/strong><\/h5>\n
NLIHC is an organization dedicated to achieving affordable and decent housing for low-income individuals and families in the United States. They provide research, policy analysis, and advocacy tools to guide regional public investment in affordable housing. NLIHC offers resources such as publications, data analysis, and policy recommendations to address housing affordability challenges.<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"hands<\/span><\/div>
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NeighborWorks America<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Shapes<\/span><\/div>
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Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP)<\/strong><\/h5>\n
National network of non-profit partners workign to provide technical assistance, training, resources, and support to rural communities across every state, the U.S. territories, and tribal lands.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Blue<\/span><\/div>
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US Department of Housing & Urban Development<\/strong><\/h5>\n
HUD provides housinig support and uplifts communities.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Man<\/span><\/div>
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National Association of Realtors – Research and Statistics<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Access high-level, top-line data for states, metro areas.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Red<\/span><\/div>
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Federal Housing Finance Agency \u2013 House Price Index<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Collection of publicly available house price indexes that measure changes in single-family home values based on data that extend back to the mid-1970s from all 50 states and over 400 American cities.\u00a0\u00a0Represents a broad measurement of the movement of single-family house prices.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Census<\/span><\/div>
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Census \u2013 Housing Tables<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Currently not being updated due to federal shut down.\u00a0\u00a0Mostly county- or state-level data.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
< Housing Toolkit Homepage<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Funding ><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2817","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2817"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2856,"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2817\/revisions\/2856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/voinovichacademy.ohio.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}