Escaping the Housing Trap

National Best Seller

In Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis, renowned urbanists Charles (Chuck) Marohn and Daniel Herriges introduce a first-of-its-kind discussion of the tension between housing as a financial product and housing as shelter. This is the key insight that's been missing from the Housing Crisis Conversation; and the insight that can help cities fight back against the crisis from the bottom-up.

This book offers a serious, yet accessible, history of housing policy in the United States and explains how it led us to this point in time: where we face a market that is rigged against people who, only a few decades ago, could have been homeowners or stable, long-term rentals. Only local change, on a neighborhood or city-wide scale, can begin to restore balance to the housing market.

Escaping the Housing Trap is the must-read resource for everyone with a stake in the future of housing in America―and that means everyone. Readers will find:

• Discussions of housing as an investment and how the country's neighborhoods are being transformed by the introduction of large amounts of investment
• Explorations of housing as shelter, including discussions of zoning policy and NIMBYism
• A comprehensive overview of the Strong Towns approach to solving the American housing crisis

About Strong Towns

Strong Towns is an American nonprofit organization, founded by Charles Marohn, dedicated to helping cities and towns in the United States achieve financial resiliency through civic engagement. The advocacy group seeks to improve communities through urban planning concepts such as walkability, mixed-use zoning, and infill development. Strong Towns seeks to end American parking mandates and highway expansion, to reduce the country's car dependency, and to increase the nation's supply of affordable housing.

Learn more at strongtowns.org 
 

Featured Speaker                            

Chuck Marohn

Charles Marohn (known as "Chuck" to friends and colleagues) is the founder and president of Strong Towns. With decades of experience as a land use planner and civil engineer, Marohn is on a mission to help cities and towns become stronger and more prosperous. He spreads the Strong Towns message through in-person presentations, the Strong Towns Podcast, and his books and articles. In recognition of his efforts and impact, Planetizen named him one of the 15 Most Influential Urbanists of all time in 2017 and 2023.

Marohn grew up on a small farm in central Minnesota. On his 17th birthday, he joined the Minnesota National Guard, which he served in for nine years. During this time, he earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota. He later returned to his alma mater to complete a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning. As well as being passionate about building a stronger America, he loves playing music, is an obsessive reader, and religiously follows his favorite baseball team, the Minnesota Twins. Most of all, Chuck loves his wife, their two daughters, and their hometown of Brainerd, Minnesota.

Event Itinerary                                

Location

The two-day summit will take place at: Frederick S Upton Foundation Education Center Pavilion at Corewell Health. 

Event Synopsis

The two-day event starts with an evening presentation and book signing by Chuck Marohn, featuring a keynote on his book Escaping the Housing Trap, followed by a Q&A and networking. The next day includes workshops on the Strong Towns approach, incremental development, zoning policies, and collaborative action planning, with breaks for networking and refreshments. The event concludes with closing remarks and a call for continued collaboration.

Schedule

Note: Exact session topics may change.

Audience

This event is designed for elected officials, real estate professionals, lending institutions, community advocates, and concerned citizens. These key stakeholders play a crucial role in shaping the future of housing and urban development. By bringing together this diverse group, we aim to foster collaboration and generate actionable solutions that address the housing crisis and build stronger, more resilient communities.