Regional Plan Association works toward a better future for the tri-state region
Campaign Featured Image Reducing Segregation

Reducing Segregation & Inequality

Our region is one of the most segregated parts of the United States and has some of the highest levels of income inequality. RPA analyzes the scope of these structural inequities and works with partners to address them.

Many of our most deep-seated problems — high cost of living, rising inequality, wide gaps in education and health outcomes, even the existential challenges of climate change — cannot be addressed without understanding how racial and economic segregation shape our economy, schools, housing and labor markets. RPA has set a goal of transforming the tri-state metropolitan area from one of the nation’s most segregated region’s to one of the least. We conduct research into the causes and impacts of segregation and work with partners throughout the region to reduce inequality. Recently, RPA has been focusing our efforts on the history of residential segregation in Connecticut and the role accessory dwelling units can play in creating more diverse, affordable communities across the region.

Related News

Stamford Advocate

Development, housing, taxes: Mayoral hopefuls Simmons and Valentine talk living in Stamford

Rockland County Business Journal

Local Officials Balk At State-Proposed Legislation To Widely Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units

Comments in Support of Accessory Homes Enabling Act to NYS Assembly Joint Committee Hearing

Letter of Support for Accessory Homes Enabling Act A4854/S4547

New York Daily News

It’s long past time to rezone Gowanus

Stamford Advocate

In-law units: Housing equalizer or neighborhood destructor? Municipalities have until 2023 to decide.

Finger Lake Times

Partial solution to housing crisis: legalizing in-law suites, or ADUs

CT Examiner

RPA Report Pitches ADUs as a Big Answer to Affordable Housing

Hamlet Hub

Darien residents moderate Fairfield County Talks Housing on Sept. 21

Comments to Federal Housing Finance Agency on Increasing Housing Supply with Accessory Dwelling Units

CT Mirror

Fairfield County advocates want state to address housing shortage

Connecticut Public Radio

Fairfield County Housing Advocates Want State To Address Shortage For Low-Income Earners

Testimony on Proposed SoHo/NoHo Rezoning

Report: Housing Stock Increase in Fairfield County, Connecticut Possible Amid Escalating Housing Crisis

Danbury News Times

New Fairfield committee to explore affordable housing opportunities for seniors, young people

Gotham Gazette

Initiative Offers Blueprint for Inclusive New York City Recovery and Growth

New York Non-Profit Media

How to improve NYC’s workforce development, affordable housing and economy

New York Post

De Blasio’s Soho rezoning plan doesn’t address the ​‘real issues,’ pols say

JD Supra

NYC Council Approves Proposal to Mandate Racial Equity Reports for Certain Land Use Applications

The New York Times

Is This Railroad for the Rich?

Who is able to afford to live in the many largely white suburban communities across our region today is not a matter of personal determination; it is a matter of history.”

Kaplan Macey Melissa Headshot2

Melissa Kaplan-Macey

Vice President, State Programs & Connecticut Director

read the testimony view full bio

Research

ADU Houses Grid Pattern

Be My Neighbor in Fairfield County

Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions
Towns in Fairfield County, Connecticut can create 40,000 new homes by 2040 by taking steps to encourage the creation of accessory dwelling units and conversions of large single-family homes.
read more
TASC Graphic2

Up to the TASC

Incorporating Data into CEQR and Comprehensive Planning
TASC is an innovative and comprehensive mapping tool developed by RPA and the Municipal Art Society of New York that uses open data to assist elected officials, planning practitioners, and communities on a wide range of land use actions that affect future development.
read more
Fairfield County CT

Fairfield County Housing Needs Assessment
To help communities in Fairfield County, CT understand and address challenges related to housing, RPA offers data and analysis on demographics and housing characteristics for all of the county’s 23 towns and cities.
read more
Manchester Connecticut

Planning for Affordability in Connecticut

Affordable Housing Plan and Process Guidebook
RPA joined the Connecticut Department of Housing and partners across the state to create this guidebook to help towns create strong affordable housing plans.
read more
Aileen Devlin Long Island

Long Island Housing Data Profiles

A visual guide to better understand Long Island’s housing challenges and opportunities
RPA offers updated profiles on the demographics and housing characteristics of every Long Island city, town, and village in an easily accessible format.
read more
Be Neighbor Pattern

Be my Neighbor

Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions
We can create hundreds of thousands of new homes in the region just by allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and conversions of large single-family homes to two- or three-family homes.
read more

Action

Zoning Reform in Connecticut

Along with our partners Desegregate CT and Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity, RPA successfully pushed for zoning reform including statewide legalization of accessory dwelling units.

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Comprehensive Planning in New York City

RPA testified to the New York City Council supporting legislation that would require the city to implement comprehensive planning and make the land use process more responsive to community needs.

read more
Be My Neighbor Houses ADU

New York State Moves on ADUs

Amidst a public health crisis, an economic crisis, and renewed calls for racial justice, this bill legalizing ADUs statewide is exactly the type of creative legislation we need.

read our statement

Desegregating Connecticut

RPA has formally partnered with the Desegregate CT coalition as part of our broader commitment to building more inclusive and equitable communities by restructuring land-use and zoning rules.

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Hotels to Housing

RPA made recommendations to the New York State Assembly to streamline the process of converting unused hotel rooms in New York City into affordable and supportive housing.

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RPA Lab

Manhattan apartment new york rental crisis 2

New York Needs Immediate and Long-Term Solutions for Rental Crisis
The state must stabilize and monitor its rental assistance programs to mitigate the eviction crisis before it is too late.
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Survey Pattern 01

Vast Majority of New York Metro Area Residents Support More Affordable Housing
74% of residents surveyed by RPA and Global Strategy Group support policies to create more affordable housing in the region.
read more
Zoned One Family Lefferts isolated Be My Neighbor Report2

Five New York City Neighborhoods to Upzone for Affordable Housing
Now that New York City is rezoning for affordable housing in SoHo/NoHo, here are the five neighborhoods the city should target next.
read more
Segregation Opportunty in Housing 1967 Regional Plan Association

Housing Segregation is a Choice
Housing segregation in our region did not happen by chance. It is the result of accumulated policy decisions over multiple generations. To address this, we first must acknowledge and understand this history.
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From the Archive

CHOICES for 76 Housing Thumbnail

1973

1973 RPA Housing Documentary Offers Dose of Deja Vu
The recently digitized documentary — available perhaps for the first time since its debut — shows how little has changed for housing in the US.
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Research Areas

Housing & Neighborhood PlanningGovernance

Location

ConnecticutNew JerseyNew York