The ultimate goal of the Homes for a Changing Region process is to empower local governments with information and strategies so that development can respond to current and forecasted demand for housing. To achieve this goal, it is essential that the local government staff (or consultants driving the process) develop a comprehensive strategy that engages residents and stakeholders in the development of the plan.
Good public engagement should create a shared vision for housing in a community, address resident concerns, and result in support for plan implementation. It needs to anticipate that the information that comes out of the Homes process may surprise some community residents and stakeholders, who will choose to engage in the process in different ways—with most simply wanting periodic project updates and the opportunity to review draft deliverables, while a few will need to be closely involved at every stage of the process.
This guide is intended to complement the Homes for a Changing Region toolkit, by providing a comprehensive overview of the public engagement activities, tools, and communication techniques that communities can utilize to develop an effective strategy as part of the Homes process.
