Respond to Context

The neighborhood surrounding an affordable housing development is just as important as the development itself. Neighborhoods provide the context and resources in which mixed-income developments are able to grow and eventually thrive. It is important that projects enhance the neighborhood not by standing out, but rather by fitting in and utilizing the positive design features of the surrounding community. It is just as important that the developer be conscious of the project’s cost. Containing both construction and lifecycle costs keeps the initial and recurring costs down for future residents, ensuring that their fixed costs are more manageable.

Support neighborhood fit: As affordable housing becomes more integrated with existing residential communities it is important that this housing maintain good neighborhood fit by involving area stakeholders, and by ensuring that local design characteristics are taken into consideration.

Contain construction and lifecycle costs: With housing costs continuing to rise it is important that projects implement methods to reduce and contain construction costs while concurrently attempting to increase building efficiency.