Activity Agenda (60 Minutes)
- Part 1: Opening & framing (5 minutes)
- Part 2: Individual reflection (5 minutes)
- Part 3: Small-group drafting (25 minutes)
- Part 4: Reality & trade-off check (15 minutes)
- Part 5: Final alignment (10 minutes)
PART 1: Opening & Framing
5 minutes
Group discussion:
- The goal is to create working definitions, not perfect or universal ones
- These definitions are meant to be used in real decisions
- Differences in perspective are expected and valuable
- What questions might the group have before getting started?
PART 2: Individual Reflection
5 minutes
Participants reflect silently and write brief notes on stickies in response to the prompts below.
Reflection prompts:
- Who should affordable housing near transit serve first?
- What feels unclear or contested about how affordability is currently defined?
- When you hear the word equity in housing, what outcome do you expect to see?
PART 3: Small-Group Drafting
5 minutes
Divide participants into small groups. Each group drafts two working definitions: one for affordability and one for equity. Encourage groups to focus on clarity and applicability.
Drafting Guidance
- Affordability considerations:
- Cost as a share of income
- Income thresholds (e.g., Average market rent AMI)
- Depth and duration of affordability
- Equity considerations:
- Who is prioritized and why
- How equity shows up in decisions
- What inequities the definition is responding to
PART 4: Reality & Trade-Off Check
15 minutes
Each group reviews its definitions using the questions below and records brief notes.
- What does this definition make easier to do?
- Who benefits first?
- Who may still be left out?
- Where might implementation be difficult?
PART 5: Final Alignment
10 minutes
Groups share definitions. As a full group, identify:
- Common elements across definitions
- Key differences or tensions
Work toward one shared definition for affordability and one for equity, or document multiple definitions if alignment is not possible.
Final Working Definitions (Write these down)
Affordability
Metrics:
Intended population(s):
Where this definition will be applied:
Equity
How equity will be assessed:
Priority populations or places:
Where this definition will be applied:
AFTER THE SESSION
Document the final definitions and:
- Reference them consistently in project materials
- Use them to guide decisions and trade-offs
- Revisit them if conditions or objectives change