The state government general fund shortfall in the current fiscal year is projected to be between about $550 million and $1 billion. This shortfall will need to be eliminated through spending cuts and/or revenue enhancements. The Legislature has demonstrated a preference for spending cuts. However demand does not decline during a recession for most public-sector services, including university services. Any reduction in funding for universities will have a negative and direct effect. A reduction in state government spending for universities of around $200 million would cause direct and indirect job losses of approximately 4,000. A substantial decrease in state government funding for universities will have negative consequences beyond these short-term effects.

Sustainable housing strives for diverse, healthy, affordable, socially inclusive, resource-efficient, and culturally sensitive housing. This report’s current state assessment is based on five goals of sustainable housing, derived from sustainability and livability principles: meet demand with adequate housing options; provide sufficient quality of housing and promote healthy housing conditions; secure affordability of housing; conserve natural resources in homes; and maintain valuable cultural and historical character.

The transition strategy presented in this report describes a set of coordinated interventions necessary to create sustainable housing in the Midtown District. The current state of housing in the District is not sustainable for housing options and affordability. There is a clear need for effective interventions to achieve a sustainable state of housing in the future.