How to Change the Culture so More Housing Happens in Your City

This session features Mike Keen, managing partner at Neighborhood Evolution, and Jordan Richardson, a small-scale developer—who are both working to reform housing from the ground up in South Bend, IN. This conversation will uncover how everyday residents alongside local officials, can foster a culture where incremental housing development is legalized, financed and welcomed. Mike and Jordan will share real-world insights on removing barriers, encouraging “many hands” to shape our cities, and enabling the kind of small, steady growth that brings housing choices at a range of price points.

If you want to be part of a movement that makes incremental housing and neighborhood vitality the norm—not the exception—this session is for you. This session will also help orient you to Strong Towns’ forthcoming housing toolkit—all about creating the conditions for incremental developers to thrive in your city. Finally, this session is a unique opportunity to connect or reconnect with recurring guests at our annual National Gathering and long-time partners of Strong Towns: Neighborhood Evolution. If you missed their session, weren’t able to attend the Gathering, or want to hear even more from Mike after seeing him in Providence, this Local-Motive workshop is your chance. Strong Towns members have the chance to attend an exclusive debrief afterward to continue the conversation up close and personal with Mike and Jordan, too. 

This workshop is worth 1 AICP continuing education credit.

This session is part of our 2025 Fall Local-Motive Tour, which includes 8 action-oriented, short-form workshops featuring inspiring leaders in the Strong Towns movement.

Check out the Round-Trip Ticket to unlock all eight 2025 Spring Local-Motive sessions at an exclusive rate!