Not All Change Is Progress: How to Fix Housing Without Making Things Worse
Cupid Alexander
Social Scientist | Planning, Economic Development, Housing | I help government, companies and social service agencies improve the quality of life for their residents.
With all the changes going on, I think there is one thing we all can agree upon: America’s housing crisis isn’t about whether we need change—we know we do. The real question is whether our changes actually move us forward or just disrupt current systems without results.
For decades, we’ve accepted policies that created today’s affordability crisis, and the results are clear; we've seen deepened racial and economic segregation, and it has hyper fueled housing insecurity for millions. But the time for half-measures is over. Communities cannot afford to keep making the same mistakes. Here are seven potential changes to put housing on the right track:
1. Housing as Infrastructure, Not an Investment Vehicle
Housing is the backbone of every thriving city. Treating it like a stock market asset instead of public infrastructure is one of the reasons why we have record homelessness and affordability crises.
When cities prioritize real estate speculation over housing stability, working-class and marginalized communities pay the price. No one debates whether roads and schools need public investment—so why is housing any different? Cities that treat housing as infrastructure, like Vienna, have created stability across income levels. Americans, It’s time we do the same.
2. Inclusive Zoning: No More Exclusion by Design
For too long, restrictive zoning has been a tool to block people out. Cities that refuse to adapt keep making housing scarcer, more expensive, and less accessible. We know the solution: works towards gentle (or aggressive) density (hello single family dwellings), expand multi-family options, and streamline permitting to reduce unnecessary costs and delays.
Some cities, like Minneapolis/Denver/Austin, have already begun to reverse exclusionary zoning. And guess what? It’s working. Home prices are stabilizing, new housing is being built, and displacement is slowing. The message is clear: zoning reform isn’t optional—it’s necessary.
3. Public Housing Innovation Over Neglect
Public housing in the U.S. has been deliberately starved of funding, then blamed for failing. But when properly resourced, public housing can be an engine for stability and opportunity. Many cities have shown that mixed-income models, thoughtful management, and community-driven design work.
Instead of dismissing public housing as outdated, we should be asking: What will it take to make it work better? The answer lies in reinvestment, not abandonment (read my post on social housing- and how we had it!).
4. Prevention Over Punishment in Homelessness Response
Criminalizing homelessness doesn’t reduce homelessness. Eviction doesn’t create housing. Shelters alone aren’t a solution. We know what works: eviction prevention, rental assistance, rapid rehousing & interim housing solutions, housing-first models, and supportive services.
Communities that have embraced prevention—like Salt Lake City and Milwaukee—are seeing real reductions in homelessness. The data is there. Are we going to follow it, or keep pretending that we can punish our way to a solution?
5. Comprehensive Community Investment, Not Isolated Housing Projects
Housing doesn’t exist in a vacuum. When we build housing without access to transit, jobs, schools, and healthcare, we create more instability. A home isn’t enough if people can’t afford to live where they work or access basic services.
Cities that integrate housing with economic and social infrastructure are proving that holistic development is the key to long-term stability. The best community investment strategies combine housing, workforce development, and public services. Anything less is shortsighted.
6. Community-Driven Solutions, Not Political Gridlock
Housing conversations have become so polarized that we’ve lost sight of the goal: getting people housed. NIMBY vs. YIMBY debates aren’t getting us anywhere. The communities making real progress are those that move past the noise and focus on results.
If communities want to solve this crisis, it will take efforts to engage residents, housing experts, those with lived experience and policymakers in real collaboration. That means building coalitions.
7. Metrics That Matter: Stability, Affordability, and Access
We’ve relied too much on abstract data that doesn’t reflect reality. What good are metrics if they don’t measure whether people can afford their homes, stay housed, and live in neighborhoods with opportunity?
Instead of celebrating "housing starts" that don’t translate into affordability, we should track what actually matters:
If we measure the wrong things, we will continue solving the wrong problems. Shameless plug: I'm proud of our efforts to initiate and evolve our data collection in the City of San Jose.
The Bottom Line: Stop Defending What Doesn't Work
Enough rhetoric. Communities need action, and they need it now. Whether you're a policymaker, developer, or community leader, the next steps are clear:
The housing crisis isn’t waiting—so why are we?
Resources for Community Leaders and Practitioners
For those interested in implementing these approaches in your own communities, the following resources provide practical guidance and case studies:
Housing Programs and Assets Manager @ Chaffee Housing Authority | Data Management, Team Building, Management
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#3, Social housing is mixed income housing. The model is working in multiple places around the country. Properly structured, this model is sustainable. #4, The social housing model can prevent families and individuals from falling into homelessness when it is properly resourced. PREVENTION.
Strategic leader
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