New benchmark measures the resiliency of a community’s housing stock

At the International Code Council’s Annual Conference, the Alliance for National and Community Resilience (ANCR) announced the release of its housing benchmark. ANCR develops benchmarks to evaluate a community’s resiliency; these benchmarks help local leaders assess and improve resilience across all aspects of the community.

The housing benchmark addresses the availability of affordable housing, the quality of housing, the availability of shelter and continuity planning in the event of a disaster. All residential structures, including single-family and multifamily, are included in the benchmark, which also addresses the needs of various groups such as older residents, families and residents with physical and mental disabilities requiring supportive housing needs. Communities rely on safe and resilient housing to support the workforce, provide a tax base and facilitate commerce.

The housing benchmark was developed by a diverse committee of subject matter experts led by co-chairs Laurie Schoeman of Enterprise Community Partners and Adam Gordon of Fair Share Housing Center.

“Our nation is facing an unprecedented affordable housing crisis — of vulnerable Americans don’t have an affordable place to live. Complicating the issue, risks from a changing climate threaten the affordable housing stock we do have,” said Schoeman. “The Housing Resilience Benchmarks are a key tool to help communities better prepare, adapt and preserve their affordable homes to protect low-income families now and into the future.”

“Communities throughout the country are facing critical decisions about how to grow in a way that promotes equity and sustainability,” added Gordon. “We hope this new benchmark helps provide guidance on key issues to consider in shaping those policies and decisions.”

“The availability and affordability of housing have become a considerable challenge for many communities. Through the housing benchmark, we’re providing communities with tools to address day-to-day needs while also setting them up for success in response to disasters,” said ANCR Executive Director Ryan M. Colker.

In addition to announcing the housing benchmark, during his presentation to conference attendees, Colker released a new white paper on the contributions of the International Building Code to resilience. It is the first in a series examining how specific International Codes support resilience. The next installment will be on the International Energy Conservation Code, which is set to be released in November 2019.

ANCR also recently welcomed two new members to its board: Lauren Stienstra and Hank Hodde. Stienstra is the program director for the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices Homeland Security and Public Safety Division. Hodde is the sustainability and resilience Coordinator for Pinellas County, Fla.

To download the housing benchmark, click here. To download the resilience white paper, click here. To read more about the new board members, click here.