The Lake Champlain - Lake George Regional Planning Board (LCLGRPB) is a government organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and regional planning in the Adirondack region. They excel in coordinating efforts among local governments and stakeholders, providing valuable insights and resources for addressing regional challenges. However, the region faces a growing workforce housing crisis, characterized by limited housing production, income-housing cost misalignment, aging housing stock, and a shortage of quality rental units. These challenges threaten regional economic stability, workforce retention, and the balance between seasonal and year-round populations.

The current impact of this housing crisis is significant, affecting the region's ability to attract and retain a skilled workforce, support local businesses, and maintain community vitality. Without a comprehensive framework for monitoring housing trends, policymakers and stakeholders lack the necessary tools to evaluate the effectiveness of housing strategies and make informed decisions about future investments and interventions.

This project addresses the challenge by offering NYU Wagner students an opportunity to develop a systematic approach to monitoring regional housing trends through an annual Housing Indicators Report. Students will identify key metrics, aggregate data across jurisdictions, and design an interactive dashboard to track changes over time. By doing so, they will contribute to the region's economic and social well-being while gaining valuable experience in data management, public administration, and urban planning.

The project will be divided into several phases, including assessing regional housing efforts, defining key housing indicators, data collection and coordination, developing annual indicators reports, designing an interactive dashboard, and establishing a sustainable reporting framework. Each phase will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to apply their skills in research, analysis, evaluation, and strategic planning to a real-world challenge.

This project is ideal for students as it offers a practical project experience that balances academic learning with real business value. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the housing crisis in the Adirondack region and develop the skills necessary to address similar challenges in their future careers. By collaborating with LCLGRPB and regional stakeholders, students will also enhance their abilities in stakeholder consultation and community engagement, further preparing them for careers in urban planning and public administration.