"It may be easier to argue that investment in social services and education will help such families reach a critical turning point. But housing is a critical, indispensable part of the equation; where people live is immensely important; to ignore the quality of their shelter is to undercut every other possible investment we make in them, for the federal low-income tax credit to local recreational programs." x
The ideal community has a range of housing types and prices available to everyone. Neal Peirce comments on this in his foreword stating:
"But just consider the alternative - the status quo, the fraying of community, the serious American housing dilemma that we've allowed to develop and fester. Reforming it will be challenging and expensive. But inaction, lack of imagination in finding (and funding) new approaches, may prove the most disastrous course of all." xi
To be labeled a great city, it should have the "ability to ensure basic necessities, freedom and creativity". (pg 6) Basic necessities include housing, jobs, schools, health care and transportation. (pg. 2) The spatial location of the necessities also adds to the attractiveness of the city or neighbourhood.
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