On Common Ground - Summer 2016: Housing For All

One strategy in those situations is to “get in early and engage the communities” with facts, Hikida noted. “We help them understand our residents are people like they would find in any other apartment building. In many cases, these people already live and work in those neighborhoods.” When there is opposition, Hikida added, “It’s really important to listen to what the critics say, and then decide how to respond. We want to hear what they’re worried about before we tell them what we’re going to do. That’s the only way it will resonate with them.” Being among the first to communicate the need for housing affordability was a key factor in the “Affordable=Achievable” campaign by the Fort Collins, Colo., Board of REALTORS®. Clint Skutchan, CEO and director of REALTOR® & Consumer Advocacy, said, “We believe it is better to be one of the first to start this conversation, rather than reacting to other events.” The pro-active effort began four years ago, growing out of a “Protecting Our Housing Future” campaign. “The fact that we were talking about this years before the general population noticed [the issue] gives us tremendous credibility,” Skutchan added. “We can help lead the larger conversation, rather than simply us saying ‘no’ to this regulation or that proposal.” Skutchan continued, “Our messaging began with the idea that we wanted to talk about more than just affordable housing.” Affordable=Achievable focuses on median wage earners “who are getting priced out of our market, as is also happening in other markets across the country.” He noted the needs of homeless and low-income groups are addressed by “a lot of great nonprofits” in northern Colorado, so his members decided to focus on wage earners who were having trouble affording homes.

“Not everyone’s client can buy a $1-million-plus home,” Skutchan continued. “Our general membership wants to make sure they have access to a diverse base of clients who can purchase homes here. So we’re broadening