The Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers

While known for economic growth, a business-friendly environment and affordable communities for working families, Texas has not been immune from rising home prices that have put a particular burden on lower-income renters.  The Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP) has long been an effective advocate for the development of affordable rental homes in the Lone Star State, but suffered a legislative setback with passage of a bill that threatened policy tools used by its members to incentivize building.

To counter a looming threat in the state legislature and push for preservation of pro-housing policies, TAAHP engaged Westfourth to help make the case for affordable housing and its community, workforce and economic benefits. Central to Westfourth’s strategy was the commissioning of a voter survey that would demonstrate the financial pressure felt by Texans from the lack of affordable housing.  The survey findings – along with a comprehensive report by TAAHP – demonstrated that the burden placed by rental costs, especially among vulnerable groups, remained substantial. The survey also revealed strong support among voters of both parties for the type of public-private partnerships and policies that drive much of the state’s affordable housing development.

TAAHP launched the survey results during their annual conference, featuring speakers from a variety of economic sectors impacted by housing costs, including healthcare, transportation, education and workforce development.

Results:

Through strategic media outreach, Westfourth helped TAAHP earn significant media coverage for its report and survey launch, including placement in the Dallas Morning News and the Austin American-Statesman. New media and trade press coverage included articles by Axios and Affordable Housing Finance, ensuring widespread message penetration among policy and industry insiders. Media outreach was coupled with a sustained social media campaign supported by compelling graphics featuring survey facts and figures. Campaign results included pick-up by the state legislature’s media monitoring service, which included TAAHP coverage in its daily distribution to the office of every lawmaker at the state capitol.