Research and Trends

An important resource for the members of the HBA is access to up to date studies, research, and market trends that relate to the building Industry. These materials are mostly generated independent of the HBA.

 

►Harvard University Joint Cetner for Housing (center)

Projecting the Underlying Dempand for New Housing Units: INferences from the Past Assumptions about the Future (full report).

 

►The National League of Cities (NLC)

:National League of Cities Releases Two Important Research Reports
The National League of Cities (NLC) has recently released two reports looking at the state of local economic conditions and housing: The State of American Cities 2007 Local Housing Conditions and Context: A Framework for Policy Making and City Fiscal Conditions 2007.

The first report on local housing conditions based off of a survey of municipal housing directors notes the increase in housing prices in many cities over the first half of the decade and the ripple effects that have followed have placed great strains on multicipalities to ensure the housing needs of residents in their community are met. The report consists of four components:

  • Assessment of local housing conditions
  • Connections between local housing conditions and other municipal issues
  • Evaluation of costs, risks and complexities associated with affordable housing policy options
  • Review of policies that municipal housing directors report as effective

The second report goes on to look at the state of cities fiscal conditions in general. Many cities improved in the past year with seven in ten city finance officers reporting that their cities are better able to meet fiscal needs during 2007 than in the previous year. However, the picture for 2008 is less optimistic with city officials predicting a slowdown in revenues and increased spending pressures. Concerns about the health of real estate markets and their potential impacts on property tax revenues, combined with increased calls for property tax relief from homeowners and residents, will cloud the picture in 2008.

 

Land Development Standards:

PHRC Land Development: Click Here

 

Affordable Houisng

Inclusionary Zoning

 Plan Regionally, Implement Locally, An Evaluation of Multi-municipal Planning and Implementation in Pennsylvania

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania played a lead role in advocating for Acts 67 and 68 of 2000, the legislation that authorized multi-municipal planning – Pennsylvania’s unique approach to regional land use management.  In a continuing effort to advance sound land use policies, 10,000 Friends has produced a new report entitled Plan Regionally, Implement Locally, An Evaluation of Multi-municipal Planning and Implementation in Pennsylvania.  Click here to download a summary of the report.  The full report will be available soon on this website.