State Studies of the Positive Effects of Providing Affordable Housing
Colorado: The Colorado chapter of the Sierra Club, in conjunction with 21 other groups, conducted a study of the potential community/social and economic impacts of a $26.5 million housing trust fund.
Delaware: The Delaware State Housing Association commissioned a study to better understand the state’s housing needs and to better coordinate federal, state, and local efforts.
Illinois: The Illinois Housing Authority published a printable Web page detailing the benefits of affordable housing and how it promotes strong families and individual success, builds local communities, and contributes to the growth and well-being of the state's economy.
Maine: The Maine Center for Business and Economic Research studied the potential economic impacts of the expenditure of a $60 million bond to expand the stock of affordable housing in the state.
Minnesota: The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency conducted a study of the economic impacts of new construction of affordable housing, rehabilitation of housing, and rental assistance. Case studies from Minnesota here.
Oregon: The Association of Oregon Community Development Organizations analyzed the economic impact generated by affordable housing development on the Oregon economy.
Pennsylvania: The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania commissioned a study of the potential economic and fiscal impacts of a Pennsylvania housing trust fund.
Utah: The Utah Housing Coalition estimated the economic impact generated by affordable housing programs on Utah’s employment, earnings, and tax revenues.
Vermont: “Housing and the Vermont Economy” addresses concerns raised by employers about the state’s housing situation and discusses how the addition of affordable housing would address those concerns.
NAHB Model to Estimate the Local Impact of Multifamily Construction
Home building generates substantial local economic activity, including new income and jobs for residents, and additional revenue for local governments. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed a model to estimate the economic benefits that captures the effect of the construction activity itself, the ripple impact that occurs when income earned from construction activity is spent and recycled in the local economy, and the ongoing impact that results from new homes becoming occupied by residents who pay taxes and buy locally produced goods and services. Read NAHB's report on the local impact of a typical tax credit housing project here.