Call for Research Proposals: Learning from Housing Policy Innovation in Small and Midsize Cities (US)
Deadline: 8-Mar-22
The Housing Solutions Lab at NYU Furman Center invites researchers to submit proposals that examine innovative housing policies and programs in small and midsize U.S. cities.
The Housing Solutions Lab at NYU Furman Center invites researchers to submit proposals that examine innovative housing policies and programs in small and midsize U.S. cities (jurisdictions with populations between 50,000-500,000 residents).
Goals
Across the country, small and midsize cities are experimenting with innovative policies and interventions to address some of their most urgent and longstanding housing challenges.
As cities design and implement new policy interventions, more research is needed to understand the impacts of these efforts on housing stability, affordability, and resident and community health and well-being more generally.
It is also critical that cities understand the extent to which their efforts help to address economic and racial segregation and mitigate racial and other persistent disparities in housing and neighborhood outcomes.
The goal of this Request for Proposals is to support research that builds the evidence base about effective housing policies and programs in small and midsize cities throughout the U.S.
In alignment with the Housing Solutions Lab’s mission, they aim to fund research that helps cities advance housing policies that promote racial equity; increase access to opportunity; and improve health and wellbeing for residents.
With a focus on identifying solutions, this opportunity aims to elevate actionable, timely policy insights that can help other jurisdictions advance effective, equitable housing strategies.
Topic Areas
Examining the impacts of emergency rental assistance or eviction prevention programs on housing stability and individual well-being.
Testing new models of housing counseling or landlord recruitment to improve access to stable housing.
Examining the impact of zoning and building code reforms on housing construction, affordability, neighborhood access, and racial and economic segregation.
Examining the influence of community land trusts on resident housing stability and community cultural preservation.
Exploring the impact of hospital investments in healthy and affordable housing on housing stability and health outcomes.
Examining the impact of different approaches to code enforcement.
Examining how different supportive service or assistance delivery models affect resident outcomes.
Studying the impact of local fair housing laws on housing and neighborhood access.
Studying the impacts of different models of emergency shelter.
The Housing Solutions Lab invites proposals that address a broad range of housing policy topics and that have the potential to directly inform local decision makers by offering new housing policy knowledge.
They encourage proposals that examine policies related to affordable housing, housing stability, housing quality, neighborhood conditions, and the intersections between housing and health, education, and/or economic opportunity.
They also welcome proposals that examine community engagement models and/or methods to center community resident perspectives in housing policy and programs.
Funding Information
Selected proposals will receive up to $25,000 in total funding for two years.
A maximum of four proposals will be awarded.
Housing Solutions Lab staff will be available to collaborate with awarded researchers to develop policy products that are timely and accessible to local decision-makers and other stakeholders.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include researchers from U.S.-based colleges/universities, nonprofit organizations, and local and city governments.
Researchers from all policy disciplines employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research designs are eligible for this opportunity.
They will prioritize researchers based in small and midsize cities.
Early career researchers and researchers from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. All submissions will be reviewed by researchers and partners of the Housing Solutions Lab at the NYU Furman Center.
Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Focus on small and midsize cities
Policy relevance
Quality and feasibility of proposed research design
Significance of the research for promoting racial and health equity
Studies that build local research capacity
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3Hscfhq