A good community has the attributes of justice, long term viability, compassion, and a high value on what can be accomplished together and the quality of our life together. It is even about how we take care of environment in which the community lives. The dominating idea of community tries to define us more than we feel free to wonder out loud about alternatives. Not all communities define themselves the same way. In fact this is what politics is all about.
Housing is a key entry point into understanding how a community defines and develops itself.
It does well or not so well as defined by the leading or dominate idea of what a community is. If the weak and poor are second class citizens then it is clear to all that we are not in this together. If land is to be devoured by advancing subdivisions, the one thing has primary importance over another. If government or business is asked to do it all, then working together and mutual responsibility take a back seat. The dominating idea of community tries to define us more than we feel free to wonder out loud about alternatives.