Policy & Planning Insights, LLC

The federal Consolidated Plan required of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development entitlement jurisdictions is a complex document reflecting substantial data analysis, as well as input from citizens and other stakeholders. Our group works with clients to create successful Consolidated Planning outcomes by listening carefully to client needs and preferences, providing clear and understandable data analysis, facilitating meaningful citizen participation efforts, and helping state and local government officials navigate HUD requirements in ways that show leadership and innovation among entitlement jurisdictions.

Our work in Consolidated Planning is based on successful efforts with jurisdictions of different sizes and with different needs. Our work is also based on national-level research on best practices among HUD entitlement jurisdictions. Past experience and on-going research efforts allow us to help clients achieve a meaningful and professionally presented Consolidated Plan.

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) is required for all federal entitlement jurisdictions. The analysis is intended to be a review of impediments to fair housing choice in both the public and private sectors. As described in HUD's Fair Housing Planning Guide (1996):

The AI is a comprehensive review of a jurisdiction's laws, regulations, and administrative policies, procedures, and practices affecting the location, availability, and accessibility of housing, as well as an assessment of conditions, both public and private, affecting fair housing choice (Fair Housing Planning Guide, page 4-4).

Our group is experienced in the preparation of the AI, including data collection and analysis, mapping, and innovations in obtaining meaningful citizen input into the preparation process.

Our team is experienced in preparation and presentation of HOPE VI evaluations and economic impact anlayses. Our managing member, Dr. Anne Williamson, has led interdisciplinary project teams in the evaluation of two HOPE VI communities in Tampa, Florida. These efforts included anlaysis of tenant outcomes for HOPE VI residents, outcomes for those who were "vouchered out" of distressed public housing and did not return to the redevelopment site, and extenstive analysis of the impact of HOPE VI on neighborhood crime, property values, and other measures of social and economic impact.

We provide services to public housing authorities, local governments, and other housing organizations in evaluating accessibility of housing units and common areas for persons with physical, sight and hearing disabilities. We are also skilled at providing needs assessments based on a community or region for units accessible to persons with disabilities.

We are experienced in providing a wide array of services to public and nonprofit organizations involved with housing and community development issues. We have provided analytical support for local government task forces and advisory boards including analyzing housing needs and neighborhood conditions, and performance measurement services for public housing authorities. We have also addressed issues related to housing for persons with disabilities and provided reporting and expert testimony on fair housing and racial and ethnic discrimination. We provide training and capacity-building services for community-based organizations. We are experts in citizen participation, focus groups, and survey design and adminsitration. All in all, our group has the expertise and experience to put together the right team to meet each client organization's specialized needs.