Live/Work/Walk: Removing Obstacles to Investment Resources

With partners such as the Regional Plan Association, LOCUS/Smart Growth America, National Association of Home Builders, National Town Builders Association, Center for Neighborhood Technology, and more, CNU’s Live/Work/Walk: Removing Obstacles to Investment initiative is moving forward in engaging policymakers to evaluate the reform of current federal financing restrictions that impede mixed commercial-residential development. Updating the current financing restrictions to better reflect today's marketplace could expand affordable housing options, deliver livability goals, and spur economic development.

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Live/Work/Walk Case Studies

Mixed-Use Development And Federal Housing Regulations- Report to the Oram Foundation

WalkUP Wake-Up Call - Chris Leinberger, George Washington University

The Correlates of House Price with Geography - Kevin Gillen, University of Pennsylvania

Community Studies

  • Glenwood Park, Atlanta, GA
  • Oakwood Shores, Chicago, IL

    • Townhomes and Rentals, Oakwood Shores, Chicago, IL


    News

    "Bronzeville Developers Struggle with FHA Restrictions"

    "Montgomery Bankers Discuss Main Street"

    Photos from CNU's "Live/Work/Walk: Removing Obstacles to Investment" Kick-off Event

    "Aging at Home and the New Urbanism" - Henry Cisneros

    "Waiting in Harlem"

    "Building Boom: A Community Grows Outside of Fannie Mae Financing"

    "Putting the 'Urban Development' Back in HUD"

    "Are Mayors Asking Washington for the Wrong Thing?" - Forbes Magazine

    "Federal Regulations at Odds with Demand for Urban Housing" - Streetsblog

    "Congress for the New Urbanism leads charge to jump-start economic activity with Live/Work/Walk Initiative - Metropolitan Planning Council

    "Fed housing finance rules stunting Chicago’s growth" - Metropolitan Planning Council

    "Fannie and Freddie have outlawed the financing of America's Main Streets" - Plan Philly, by Sam Sherman, Kevin Gillen, and John Norquist

    "Congress for the New Urbanism" - Dennis Walsh, City University of Seattle


    Live/Work/Walk Allied Organizations

    See original CNU letters to FHA/HUD for additional organizational signers.

    Archived Case Studies

    Reshaping America's Built Environment - Arthur C. Nelson, University of Utah


    CNU Initiative Partner

    Charts, Letters, Testimonials and FHA Guidelines

    Restrictions on Commercial Components
      Cap on Gross Income Derived Cap on Gross Floor Area / Net Rentable Space
    HUD 221(d)4
    15%
    10%
    HUD 220
    30%
    20%
    Fannie Mae
    20%
    35%
    Freddie Mac
    25%
    20%
  • HUD Mortgagee Letter 2012-18, September 13, 2012
  • CNU Coalition Letter to FHA/HUD on 220 Program - June 22nd, 2012
  • CNU Coalition Letter to FHA/HUD on 221(d)4 Program - July 2nd, 2012
  • Testimony to Illinois Commission on Eliminating Poverty - August 13th, 2012


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