Housing location can strain public facilities and drain the tax base. Since residential housing is the major user of land in any city, housing subdivisions should utilize community design practices that efficiently use land and public facilities. Establishing enabling legislation for housing is the motivator for communities to move forward with a balanced growth management plan. Another key issue is affordable housing. Establishing guidelines to encourage and provide housing for a variety of income levels is important.
Vibrant communities incorporate housing for all economic levels.
Diversity reduces isolation and exclusion and contributes to a healthy economic base. In addition, housing located in urban areas and provided for all economic levels provides workers with a variety of employment opportunities and reduces the need for long commutes. This component, enabling legislation, helps address not only transportation, but also economic development programs and effective community design projects. To ensure a balance of housing types, affordable housing programs must be incorporated through adopted enabling legislation. State mandated fair share programs help address equity issues, since they often are not addressed.