In the fall of 2021, the ULI Northwest Arkansas district council, in partnership with the Form Based Code Institute of Smart Growth America, launched the Aligned for Affordability program. The ultimate goal of this program is to advance the production of attainable, market-rate housing nearer to jobs, goods, services, and amenities while increasing transportation choices for residents, enhancing public and social health, and addressing the environmental and economic consequences of sprawl.  

To achieve this goal, the team convened a NWA Planner Community of Practice composed of city planners from across the Northwest Arkansas region. Members of the NWA Planner Community of Practice represented every municipality in our region with a planning staff member, planning consultants and regional planners that work across municipalities without dedicated staff, and staff members from the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission.  

Each month throughout 2022, the team hosted a series of seminars and workshops featuring national advocacy leaders, planning policy and practice experts, and leading housing developers from our area, all of whom engaged with the planners on topics relating to increasing housing affordability. Sessions covered topics including regional demographic and economic trends, impactful zoning reform options, entitlement streamlining, soft cost reduction, diversifying housing types, balancing land use and transportation, and community outreach and education.  

The Aligned for Affordability program allows city planners in our region to take the lead in achieving more attainable housing and livable communities.  

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