Please note: Symposium registration has now ended, but additional details about the event will be provided here soon at PCHTF.org.
Meeting the housing needs of cities in the future is much easier when communities allow new housing to be incrementally added or changed in neighborhoods over time. In turn, local housing markets can respond to shifting demand, adapt to feedback, and change according to the needs of the community. Allowing the market to adjust naturally mitigates boom and bust cycles in supply and demand that can push up prices.
This is part of the message Charles Marohn, author and founder of Strong Towns, will share in Des Moines this week during the Polk County Housing Trust Fund’s (PCHTF’s) annual Housing Matters Symposium, Thursday at the Iowa Events Center.
“We look forward to this event every year which brings the community together around new ideas to unlock the housing supply needed by local people and families,” said Toby O’Berry, PCHTF’s executive director. “We’re excited to focus on housing solutions to help neighborhoods thrive with an eye on ensuring affordability and access.”
At the event, PCHTF will share a new report called Housing Sites of Opportunity, featuring results of an extensive local analysis of properties suitable for potential development of additional housing. Completed in partnership with local planning firm Confluence, the report identifies existing land use typologies and provides examples of Missing Middle Housing-type developments that could gently expand housing options in local neighborhoods.
The Trust Fund will also highlight the next phase of its Develop the Developer Launchpad, presented by Wells Fargo, a new program to support emerging multifamily developers. Last December, the program graduated its first cohort of emerging multifamily developers. They completed a two-week intensive boot camp offering exposure to a variety of key development skills and the opportunity to build relationships with local leaders.
Now, a select group of graduates from that program are embarking on an intensive multi-month development fellowship working on a 12-unit housing project with local firm DEV Partners while simultaneously gaining experience toward building their own multifamily project. Investment by Wells Fargo will allow the Polk County Housing Trust Fund to loan an equity stake in the co-development project on behalf of each fellow. This positions emerging developers to contribute to building necessary affordable housing now and in the future.
Housing Matters Symposium will wrap up with an overview of local development projects that utilize innovative incremental strategies to add more housing where it is needed. While registration has ended for the event, more information about the proceedings and related programs can be found at PCHTF.org.
Housing Matters Symposium is made possible by presenting sponsors AARP Iowa and the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.