At a minimum, the housing needs assessment process may identify alternatives that might be more effective than the most obvious solution to a local housing problem. Uses and Variations Much of the current interest in housing needs assessments and strategic plans results from federal or state legislative requirements. Legislatures in many states have directed cities, towns, and counties to prepare community comprehensive plans or strategic economic development plans. The community's intended uses of the assessment will shape the specific problems and the solutions they consider. For example, a needs analysis performed in preparing a community economic development plan would have a different focus than one done by a nonprofit group planning transitional housing for persons with developmental disabilities.
Reality is much more complex.
Implement, Monitor, and Evaluate Progress. The steps may be completed in order or all at once, as the local situation, time, and volunteer labor allow. In other words, goals and objectives tell you where you want to go, not how to get there. Communities can achieve the latter task by developing and implementing short-term housing strategies and action plans, then monitoring and evaluating their progress. The impetus may arise from a pressing local housing issue, a legislative mandate, economic development planning, or other reasons identified earlier in Figure 1.