Housing costs are a concern in cities on every continent, and this week more than 30 mayors and deputy mayors gathered in New York to compare notes. The Urban Housing Summit, organized by a nonprofit network of city governments, focused on practical policies that have helped increase supply and stabilize rents.

“No city has solved this completely,” said summit chair Gabriela Moreno, a former city planning director. “But many have found pieces of the answer, and sharing them saves years of trial and error.”

What Is Working

Zoning reform was the most discussed topic. Several cities reported success after allowing small apartment buildings and backyard cottages in neighborhoods that had been limited to single-family homes. One mid-sized city in the Pacific Northwest said new permits rose by 40 percent within three years of such changes.

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Public land programs drew interest as well. Delegates described projects that lease government-owned sites to builders on the condition that a share of units remain affordable for decades. Others highlighted modular construction, where building sections are produced in factories, cutting construction time by up to a third.

Delegates also discussed the importance of speeding up approvals. In many cities, permits for new housing can take years, adding significant costs. Several mayors described streamlined review processes, including online permitting systems and pre-approved building designs for small apartment buildings. One city reported cutting average approval times from 14 months to five. “Time is money for builders, and ultimately for renters,” says housing official Thomas Lee. Participants agreed that transparency is key. When residents understand how decisions are made and what benefits new housing brings, they are more likely to support projects in their own neighborhoods.

Challenges Ahead

Participants acknowledged that new construction alone cannot solve affordability, especially where land and labor costs remain high. Some called for more funding for rental assistance and tenant protections.

“Supply, stability and support,” summarized housing economist Dr. Kevin Adebayo. “You need all three.” The network plans to publish a shared toolkit of policies early next year, with case studies from each participating city, and will hold its next summit in Toronto.

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