Following our neighborhood revitalization study, Des Moines plans to launch a $4.5 million pilot program to help neighborhoods buy nuisance properties, demolish decaying homes, and make other revitalization improvements.

Housing conditions, successes, demand and opportunities vary widely from neighborhood to neighborhood. While inclusionary zoning could work in parts of Buffalo, it “must be paid for through cost offsets or outright cash subsidies.” Developers agree.

In 2010, our report for Jamestown suggested the launch of a Renaissance Block Challenge to encourage homeowner investment in at-risk residential blocks. Our newest housing analysis for Jamestown is helping local officials focus their latest efforts on 4 areas.

Millcreek Township government has begun to consider our Embrace Millcreek comprehensive plan in earnest. Some of the same forces that worked against Erie and its residents — tight finances, disinvestment and aging infrastructure among them — are now at work in Millcreek.

Our report for Des Moines shows that most homes ihave not grown in value in recent years and that most of the city’s neighborhoods are struggling to compete against neighboring Polk County suburbs.

We don’t placate residents or mince words. We let the residents of Coos County know that they need to “get your shit together.” Coos County’s housing crisis hinged, in part, on the community’s overall attitude and lack of pride in ownership. Here’s how we addressed those issues.

Curry County officials documented a decline in housing construction and workforce participation along with a population increase and an increase in the percentage of college-educated residents… a perfect recipe for a housing crisis.

Greenville County is superbly situated to attract couples. But single people struggle. See how our recommendations for affordable housing, homeowner assistance, and rental housing development will help.

Addressing affordable housing needs isn’t easy and can’t be done in a vacuum. Instead, it’s got to be a coordinated effort that includes neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and planning and zoning. See how czb helped the City of Midland, Michigan, map the path forward.

At czb, we believe in practicing what we call “urban truth-telling.” In order to solve a communities problems, it’s important to begin with a realistic view of current conditions. See how we did exactly that in Waynesboro, Virginia—and helped elected officials come to grips with the facts.