Everyone needs a home. From older adults to young families and our region’s workforce, housing is essential to sustained economic and community development. Across our region, communities are facing various housing challenges—from blight and lack of development, to affordability and reliability. The best solutions to these challenges are collaborative, locally-rooted solutions grounded in a regional framework.
At North Central, we’re helping partners tackle regional housing challenges by providing convenient data and resources; convening stakeholders and supporting regional collaboration; and incorporating housing priorities in regional planning. Explore the page below and use the green buttons above to see North Central’s housing resources—from regional housing plans and data, to resources, solutions, and support organizations!
Where do I begin in my community?
Knowing where to start can be a challenge. We get it. At North Central, we’re committed to creating tools to assist you in your journey toward finding solutions that work for your community!
1. Try out our interactive Housing Solutions Explorer below for a guided tour through potential solutions.
2. Check out our highlighted resources to see a curated selection of valuable items to help you begin your journey.
3. Explore the resource hub for a full range of ideas, resources, and best practices from across the country.
Housing Solutions Explorer
Use this interactive tool to take a guided tour through potential solutions!
►Click here to see additional assessment tools
Northwest Michigan Housing Ready Checklist — While designed for northern Michigan communities, this comprehensive checklist helps communities evaluate needs and strategies to enable housing.
Strong Towns — The Housing Ready Cities Initiative, a project of Strong Towns, provides six recommendations for zoning and permitting reforms to enable new construction—including those of different shapes and sizes.
Main Street America — The Main Street Housing Quiz, although tailored toward main street managers and other non-profit leaders, is an experimental and engaging tool to discover customized resources for your community’s housing “personality.”
Local Housing Solutions — The Housing Strategies Builder from Local Housing Solutions, a project of the NYU Furman Center, provides detailed guidance for local officials on planning, developing, and implementing a housing strategy. Although aimed toward large and mid-sized cities, some ideas may also be relevant for our rural communities.
Highlighted Resources & Solutions
Regional Housing Needs Assessment
In 2022, the North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission conducted a regional housing needs assessment. The purpose of the assessment was to document existing regional housing conditions; identify market and other forces affecting housing supply (now and in the future); and identify gaps and opportunities to maintain and achieve reliable housing for all.
Select Support Organizations
US Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America through grants and loans—including dedicated housing initiatives.
Housing Assistance Council
The Housing Assistance Council—a national nonprofit—supports rural affordable housing initiatives through training, research, and lending.
Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania
The Housing Alliance of PA—a statewide organization focused on affordable housing—provides resources, technical assistance, and training opportunities.
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD provides funding for affordable housing and community development, as well as resources and support—including through the department’s Rural Gateway.
National Association of REALTORS
The National Association of REALTORS produces and analyzes real estate data—providing valuable insight into housing conditions.
PA Department of Community & Economic Development
PA’s DCED supports a variety of community and economic development endeavors, including through technical assistance, funding opportunities, and resources.