Easing the problem of homelessness will require communities to build more affordable housing, and that will require creating a new narrative with people who oppose it, according to two Arizona State University experts.

“We need to get businesses, public safety, education and neighborhood groups on board,” said Senior Sustainability Scientist Joanna Lucio, associate dean of academic affairs and an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs.

Continue Reading

While Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford was in Phoenix as a speaker for the Wrigley Lecture Series, he stopped by the public radio station KJZZ to talk about the importance of affordable housing.

"Housing is complicated and expensive. It's hard to tackle," Reckford said in the segment. "The only real solutions are to get the public sector, the private sector and the nonprofit community working together on community transformation."

“What we’ve seen — and the data is very strong — is that mixed-income, mixed-use communities are the healthiest approach for everybody involved,” Reckford told the show's host Mark Brodie. Reckford went into more detail about affordable housing in his lecture, "Housing for Inclusive and Equitable Cities," sponsored by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University.

A Thought Leader Series Piece

by Jonathan Reckford

Note: Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford gave a Wrigley Lecture titled "Housing for Inclusive and Equitable Cities" in January 2018.

With 60 percent of people worldwide projected to be concentrated in urban areas by 2030, developing sustainable communities that are inclusive and equitable for all will require creating affordable housing located near job opportunities. Some of the most promising ideas emerging in both developed and developing economies involve combining mixed-income housing with transit-oriented developments.

Continue Reading

In its new phase within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, the Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family continues its tradition of advancing affordable, safe and sustainable housing. It does so by empowering students to build sustainable communities, both through two School of Sustainability courses and a new fellowship program.

When it opened in 2005 with a generous gift from philanthropist Jerry Bisgrove, the center acted in a consulting capacity. Since this time, it has partnered with an array of communities – urban and rural, small and large – throughout the state. Now, it utilizes those partners to provide students with an opportunity for the practical application of classroom concepts. In addition to supplying welcomed assistance to participating partners, Stardust fellows gain valuable networking opportunities, insights and inspiration.