New Visions for Social Housing in the US

The course will have students develop a proposal for public action to support a new (or re-invigorated) form of social housing in the US in response to the persistent and growing housing affordability challenges in the country. Students will choose the level of government for their proposal (federal, state, or local). The precise definition of social housing will be developed as part of the course but will have at its foundation the notion of housing that is owned by public or nonprofit organizations that is permanent affordability and has a strong element of resident control.

Students will learn about the rationale for an expanding social housing sector; investigate alternative formulations of social housing through the examination of social housing models from other countries and proposals and pilots in the US; assess the current landscape of public and nonprofit organizations in the US and their capacity for taking on new roles that could form the foundation of a new form of social housing; and engage with public, nonprofit, and for profit representatives to help inform the development of a proposal for policies that would enable a new form of social housing in the US.

The class will often feature guests with experience in each of the domains identified above, including experts in international social housing models, defining and developing proposals and pilot programs for social housing in the US, current public and nonprofit housing providers, and policy makers and advocates who are leading efforts to introduce social legislation across the country.

Students will work in small groups (3-5 students) to develop a proposed model for a new form of social housing. The proposals will provide a definition and rationale for social housing, specify the role for different public, nonprofit and for profit organizations in the new model, identify the public resources that would be required to support the sector (e.g., sources of development capital, land for siting housing, support for operating costs of both social housing organizations and their housing developments, and technical assistance to support the field), and the form of governance and oversight of the social housing organizations. Students will be required to present their proposals in a final review to a panel of experts and interested parties drawing from the organizations identified as clients.

This course may be of particular interest to students in the Urban Planning and Real Estate programs at the GSD and the Public Policy program at HKS. A background in affordable housing policy and/or affordable housing development is strongly recommended. Students without this background should consult with the instructor prior to enrolling. 

Note regarding the Fall 2025 GSD academic calendar: The first day of classes, Tuesday, September 2nd, is held as a MONDAY schedule at the GSD. Courses that meet only on Tuesdays will meet for the first time on September 9th. Courses meet regularly otherwise. Please refer to the GSD academic calendar for additional details.