Nearly a decade of suppressed housing construction, combined with a consistently growing population, has resulted in a shortage of residential units regionwide. A mismatch between household incomes and housing price points is also occurring. The Housing Supply and Attainability Strategy aims to identify achievable ways of increasing housing at appropriate income levels and in locations that support the needs of everyone.

The project involves quantifying what housing is needed across incomes, identifying current hinderances to housing production, and brings together multi-industry and cross-sector members of the community to work together in determining what actions need to be taken to increase housing production and attainability with intentionality. The project will yield a community-by-community, county-by-county, school district-by-school district and regionwide assessment of housing need and a defined strategy to increase housing production where it is needed and at price points that support the attainability across all incomes.

The Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) is the second engagement of a three-part series. The first kickoff workshop event was held on February 5th at DeSales University, featuring presentations from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) on the Housing Supply and Attainability Strategy digital data tool, and The Terwilliger Center for Housing, ULI, concluding with a panel discussion of regional and national expert practitioners. You can review the Event Page here.

Housing Supply and Attainability Strategy Goals: 

• Define current restraints to increasing housing stock regionwide.
• Identify strategies to increase housing supply at appropriate income levels.
• Develop a comprehensive plan to address the limited housing stock available in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
• Collaborate with cross-sector and multi-industry leaders to define actionable recommendations for increasing housing production to improve attainability for all.

Rendering Suburban Infill Concept from FutureLV: The Regional Plan

Professional expertise needed from panelists:

• Rural and suburban development
• Real estate development/finance 
• Community economic development 
• Zoning, planning, and land use
• Community engagement 
• Public policy and/or public finance 
• Fundraising, philanthropy, public/private partnerships 

Panelist Expectations:

• Be available for two full days on March 27 – 28, 2025
• Review extensive briefing materials prior to convening
• Join virtual briefing meeting one to two weeks prior to convening
• Actively participate in stakeholder interviews, recommendation generation, and findings presentation
• Maintain an active ULI membership
• Adhere to ULI Conflict of Interest policy and Code of Ethics

Important Dates:

• Panelist Application Deadline: February 21, 2025
• TAP Dates: March 27 – 28, 2025

More info: 

• Learn more about ULI Philadelphia’s TAP program here. 
• Questions about this opportunity? Please contact ULI Philadelphia at [email protected]