Housing Virginia Toolkit


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Table of Contents

  1. The Basics
    1. Who is Housing Virginia

    2. Why
      1. Why is decent, affordable housing important?
      2. Why is housing growing less affordable?
      3. Which is more important -- rental homes or homeownership?

    3. What
      1. What is "affordable housing"?
      2. What is "subsidized" housing?
      3. Who is eligible to live in subsidized housing?
      4. What is "workforce housing"?

    4. How
      1. How can we increase housing options for working families?
      2. What can state and local governments do?
      3. Where do I find housing data for my community?
      4. How can my community fund its affordable housing efforts?
      5. How do we ensure that "affordable housing" stays affordable?
      6. How do we provide housing for those with special needs?
      7. What strategies work best in rural areas and weak markets?
      8. Where can I learn more about affordable housing solutions?
      9. How does the government support homeownership?

    5. Who
      1. What can government agencies do?
      2. What are the roles & responsibilities of the private sector?
      3. What are the roles & responsibilities of the nonprofit sector?

    6. Why Not
      1. Will affordable housing decrease nearby property values?
      2. Won't more housing just overburden our public facilities?
      3. Isn't attracting jobs more important than providing housing?

    7. Myths of Affordable Housing
      1. Affordable Housing is Ugly.
      2. Affordable housing produces more traffic.
      3. Affordable housing increases crime.
      4. Affordable housing overburdens schools and infrastructure.
      5. Affordable housing lowers property values.
      6. Affordable housing is not a community asset.

    8. Who needs Affordable Housing
      1. Who needs /lives in affordable housing?

    9. Challenge Affordable Housing Stereotypes
      1. Stereotypes
        1. crime
        2. property values
        3. design
        4. traffic
        5. type of people
        6. bad for community
      2. Stereotype Response
        1. Crime
        2. Property Values
        3. Design
        4. Traffic
        5. Only a Certain Type of Person Needs/Lives in Affordable Housing
        6. Affordable Housing is not a Community Asset

    10. Glossary of Housing Words and Terms

  2. Paycheck to Paycheck Analysis

  3. Creating a Communication Plan
      1. What Is The Housing Issue To Be Addressed?
      2. What Are The Goals/Objectives To Be Achieved?
      3. How to Reach the Target Audience
      4. What Are The Messages To Be Conveyed?
      5. What Are The Strategies/Tactics/Activities That Will Make A Difference?
      6. What Resources Are Needed To Implement The Plan?
      7. How Do You Know If You Are A Success?
      8. Sample Communications Plan Outline

  4. Implementing your Plan
      1. One to one meetings
      2. Tours
      3. Fact sheets
      4. Photos
      5. Conference/seminar/forum
      6. Speakers bureau – making the rounds/powerpoint
      7. Website
      8. Advertising
      9. Case Studies