What Is Affordable Housing?

  • Made By CUP With:
  • Community Partners
  • Tags:
  • Housing,
  • Land Use

Breaking down affordable housing policy so tenants can make their voices heard

Community members participate in an Affordable Housing Toolkit workshop.

The phrase “affordable housing” seems plain enough, but it doesn’t always mean what people think it does. It actually has a technical definition, which can determine what gets built and who gets to live there. The Affordable Housing Toolkit helps communities answer the all-important question, “Affordable to whom?”

The kit is an interactive workshop tool with activities that break down affordable housing policy into easy-to-understand visuals. A felt chart lets communities look at income demographics, rents, and proposed developments in their neighborhoods. A guidebook explains New York’s affordable housing programs and who is eligible to use them. The guide also provides step-by-step instructions on how to facilitate a workshop using the toolkit activities. The online map lets you instantly chart the income demographics of any NYC neighborhood and print it out to share with elected officials or other audiences.

Felt squares show neighborhood income demographics, rents, and affordability programs.
CUP staff work with volunteers to assemble new toolkits.

CUP designed the toolkit in collaboration with designer Glen Cummings of design studio MTWTF. We also worked with an advisory group of dozens of community organizations, advocacy groups, and policy experts to make sure the toolkit could meet the specific needs they faced in engaging their constituents on neighborhood development issues.

Over 100 organizations throughout New York City have toolkits and conduct workshops for thousands of participants each year. Workshops regularly take place at community meetings, classrooms, staff trainings for organizers, and many other locations.

CUP updates the numbers in the toolkits every few years, and we've update the guidebook twice to include new and changing housing programs. Get your updated copy today!

See How it Works


“The Affordable Housing Toolkit bridges the gap between the people in power and the people on the ground by helping them understand these terms like “Section 8.” These issues that could be confusing to anyone – let alone those who are living inside of them and are burdened by all sorts of other issues in their lives."

– Doreen Ornelas, Social worker

Check Out the Project

The toolkit includes a guide and an interactive wall chart.

Want A Workshop?

We can arrange workshops anywhere in the five boroughs with 3-4 weeks of notice. Some organizations may qualify for reduced rates depending on the ability to pay, audience reached, and level of customization.

Contact us to find out more.

Get a discounted toolkit!

CUP is committed to helping housing advocates, community boards, and others teach their constituents about land use and development. Get in touch to find out if you qualify for subsidized pricing.

Contact us to find out more.

Buy the Toolkit

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Buy the Guidebook $15

Click Here to Buy


Special Thanks

Clara Amenyo, Tess Bath, Pema Domingo-Barker, Sam Holleran, Jeff Kasper, Lize Mogel, Valeria Mogilevich, Oscar Nunez, Sarah Serpas, Matt Zebrowski, Vicki Been, Michelle De La Uz, Mark Foggin, Anne Frederick, Michael Freedman-Schnapp, Michael Heimbinder, Matt Klein, Brad Lander, Juan Camilo Osorio, Paul Parkhill, Frank Ruchala Jr., Lucas Shapiro, Lacey Tauber, Tom Angotti, Eve Baron, Bettina Damiani, Benjamin Dulchin, Richard Lee, Bethany Li, David Powell, Damaris Reyes, Lisa J. Servon, Susanna Schaller, Elana Shneyer, Ericka Stallings, Vicki Weiner

Product Details

The toolkit Includes a folding game board, plastic blocks, infrastructure tiles, 100 2-sided activity sheets, and 146-page guidebook in a 9″ × 9″ × 19″ toolbox.

Funding Support

Support for this project was provided by The Nathan Cummings Foundation; the Surdna Foundation; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; and Sappi Ideas that Matter. Additional support was provided by Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Council Member Brad Lander.