The Urban Institute has published a new report entitled “The Uncharted, Uncertain Future Of HOPE VI Redevelopments: The Case for Assessing Project Sustainability.” The report explores how the HOPE VI program supports demolishing large, dilapidated public housing and replacing it with smaller-scale, more appealing properties, and the challenges and conditions these efforts create that can potentially undermine long-term sustainability. The report finds that sustainability has not yet been assessed and questions whether it should or can be assessed. With input from housing practitioners and insight from a trial exploration of two HOPE VI redevelopments, this report demonstrates the need for, and feasibility of, conducting an assessment that can assist both private owners and public agencies in sustaining this valuable resource. NH&RA’s HOPE VI Working Group meets regularly to discuss and advocate for strategies and public policy changes to help address sustainability issues with the HOPE VI Program. The group is comprised of the leading private sector owners and advisors involved in HOPE VI and mixed-finance development. To learn more about the HOPE VI Working Group visist http://www.housingonline.com/HopeVICouncil.aspx or contact Thom Amdur at tamdur@housingonline.com or 202-939-1753. Read More…