What is the primary purpose of Housing and Community Development (HCD)?

The primary purpose of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is to promote sustainable communities through affordable housing. This encompasses a wide range of objectives aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals and families, particularly those in low- and moderate-income brackets. Sustainable communities are characterized by having access to safe and affordable housing, which is essential for providing stability and fostering economic independence for residents. HCD initiatives typically focus on creating diverse neighborhoods that offer not only housing but also access to services, transportation, and employment opportunities, creating a holistic environment where communities can thrive.

Affordable housing is a foundational element of this purpose, as it seeks to ensure that all individuals have access to homes that meet their needs and are within their financial means. By prioritizing the development of such housing, HCD addresses issues related to housing insecurity, homelessness, and economic disparities.

Other related elements, such as urban economic growth or home construction regulation, might play roles in the broader context of community development but do not encapsulate the primary goal of HCD, which is fundamentally about fostering communities through equitable access to housing.