To what extent do urban forest and green space plans include housing-related content?

Housing impacts (or is impacted by) the abundance and accessibility of urban forests and green spaces (UFGS) in multiple ways. However, these impacts are often overlooked in practice due to organizational siloing. This study analyzed 112 UFGS planning documents from Canada and the US to determine (1) whether they considered any housing impacts; (2) what housing-related challenges and opportunities they identified; and (3) whether these challenges/opportunities have evolved. Most plans considered at least one housing impact, and most impacts were related to (limited) money and space. The most common impacts were: (1) UFGS increase property values; (2) some residences lack UFGS access; (3) residential development provides funding/space for UFGS; and (4) housing demand increases pressure on existing UFGS. Less common were homelessness in UFGS; using housing-related taxes to fund UFGS; and green gentrification. Interestingly, not all plans agreed on whether an impact was an opportunity or a challenge. For example, UFGS increasing property values was often seen as a benefit for homeowners and local governments. However, recently it has been seen as a disbenefit, if it leads to gentrification. Future research and/or practice needs to carefully consider whether housing-related impacts are an opportunity or a challenge in their given context. Further suggestions include (1) implementing/evaluating housing affordability measures alongside greening; (2) establishing funding sources for greening independent of residential development; (3) developing/evaluating innovative strategies to green densifying areas; (4) developing regulations, incentives, and supports for greening private property; and (5) establishing meaningful collaborations with housing, land-use, and/or social services departments/organizations.