The Latest from CommunityScale
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Notable trends in the 2024 ACS data release
The 2024 ACS took a little bit longer than usually to be released, but now that its out we had a chance to compare some of the significant differences between 2023 and 2024. The…
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Three phases of local housing action
Communities across the country are confronting housing challenges that feel urgent, complex, and sometimes overwhelming. Through our work with dozens of municipalities and regions, we’ve observed that communities typically progress through three phases as they…
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Rolling out new State-required multifamily zoning
Massachusetts’ MBTA Communities Act required 177 municipalities to adopt by-right multifamily zoning near transit. CommunityScale worked with 13 communities and shares lessons on tailoring state mandates to local context, navigating regulatory flexibility, and building…
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Minneapolis-St Paul Regional Housing Nexus Study
The Metropolitan Council selected CommunityScale to lead a region-wide housing nexus study for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. This study will provide the data and methodology needed for local governments across the 118-city…
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Johnson County, IA Housing Assessment Study
CommunityScale partnered with Johnson County, Iowa to complete a comprehensive housing assessment study for the county’s non-metro area, encompassing six small cities and unincorporated areas. The study identified a need for approximately 950 new…
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City of Pueblo Consolidated Plan and Fair Housing Analysis
CommunityScale partnered with the City of Pueblo, Colorado to develop a comprehensive 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan, Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, and First Year Annual Action Plan to guide the city’s use of…
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CommunityScale in the news: Hilliard, OH housing plan open house
We’re thrilled to see strong community engagement as Hilliard, OH works through their housing study. Residents attended the first public meeting on December 3rd to provide feedback on the city’s comprehensive housing needs assessment. As 10TV…
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West Natick Mixed-Use Zoning Support
CommunityScale and Bridle Design (landscape and urban design) partnered with the Town of Natick to analyze and visualize a zoning proposal that reimagines the West Central Corridor, a key stretch of Route 135 extending…
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Our approach to open source mapping
Like many planners and geospatial professionals, the CommunityScale team was curious about an alternative to Esri’s ArcOnline platform. While Esri offers a full suite of products that make it easy to publish analysis, some…
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CommunityScale kicks off comprehensive rezoning for Lowell, MA
The City of Lowell selected CommunityScale to lead a citywide comprehensive zoning rewrite. This work follows Nels and Sarabrent’s contribution to Lowell’s transit-oriented multifamily overlay zone. The process is starting with an audit of…
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CommunityScale in the news: Johnson County looks to expand its non-metro area, while balancing growth
“Johnson County is in the midst of a study that began in April, and has included a series of public meetings and focus groups held throughout the county. The consultants, CommunityScale, plan to deliver…
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Housing Library
Many communities today are searching for ways to create more housing options that are both attainable and fit within the character of existing neighborhoods. The challenge often lies in the gap between large-scale apartment…
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CommunityScale in the news: Study and forthcoming report analyzes needs and impacts in small towns and rural areas
“Housing needs in and around Solon have been a topic of discussion approached from various angles such as affordability, the need for various types of housing, where to put new housing, and impacts, both…
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Working with household income, HUD Income Limits, MFI, and AMI
CommunityScale uses HUD’s Income Limits as an anchor for grouping households into income groups for the purpose of identifying income-aligned and affordable housing demand. However, there are several key terms and methodologies embedded in…
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Muskogee Comprehensive Housing Study
CommunityScale completed a Comprehensive Housing Study for the City of Muskogee, OK Economic Development Department to assess current housing conditions, identify needs, and recommend strategies for future development. The outcome is intended to guide policy…