Jun
17
The State of the Nation's Housing 2026
Join us for the release of our State of the Nation's Housing 2026 report.
Wed, Jun 17, 2026
4:00 pm ET
Virtual
Events
On campus and online, we host dozens of events each year to examine important housing policy issues. In addition to seminars, lectures, and panel discussions here at Harvard, we convene conferences and symposia around the country, bringing together housing practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. Please sign up for our email list at the bottom of this page to hear about upcoming events, and visit YouTube to watch videos of past events.
May
15
Post-Occupancy Evaluations for Affordable Housing Design
How do those funding, designing, building, and operating affordable housing know if their completed buildings work for residents? A panel of architects and nonprofit developers will examine how resident-centered Post-Occupancy Evaluations are conducted and how they might be embedded in the delivery and management of affordable housing.
Fri, May 15, 2026
12:30–2:00 pm ET
Virtual
Apr
24
Dyslexia IRL: Pathways from School to Career
There is limited research focusing on the experiences of and policies for teens and adults with undiagnosed dyslexia. Studies have found that large proportions of prison inmates and homeless youth in the US are dyslexic, yet are also widely represented among successful entrepreneurs and innovators. This student-led conference will explore what it means to build a life, approach a career, and thrive with dyslexia.
Fri, Apr 24, 2026
8:30 am–5:00 pm ET
In Person
Apr
18
Ecuador Conference 2026: Dialogues Shaping the Nation
This student-run conference tackles critical topics shaping Ecuador's present and future, examining the country's regional and global position.
Sat, Apr 18, 2026
11:30 am–5:30 pm ET
In Person
Apr
14
Beyond Urban Renewal: Retooling Redevelopment Authorities to Create Social Housing in Massachusetts
JCHS researchers will present the findings of a new paper which examines how redevelopment authorities in Massachusetts might support social housing. A panel of practitioners and officials will discuss the paper's findings and its implications for communities across the state.
Tue, Apr 14, 2026
4:00–6:00 pm ET
Hybrid
Apr
10
Living Together by Design: Housing to Connect Generations
This half-day event will bring together leaders from architecture, planning, homebuilding, environmental gerontology, public health, and related fields to explore innovative intergenerational design—from flexible homes that adapt to the needs of multigenerational families to larger communities intentionally designed to foster daily interaction and shared support.
Fri, Apr 10, 2026
1:00–5:00 pm ET
Hybrid
Apr
3
Measuring the Impact of State Pro-Housing Policies: Empirical Traps to Avoid
Jenny Schuetz, Vice President of Infrastructure, Housing at Arnold Ventures, will discuss the empirical challenges in evaluating state pro-housing policies and strategies for generating more reliable analyses.
Fri, Apr 3, 2026
1:00–2:00 pm ET
Virtual
Apr
3
Shuffle: Documentary Screening and Conversation
Join the Harvard Student Coalition on Health and Housing and Director Benjamin Flaherty for a special screening of Shuffle, a documentary about the for-profit detox industry that targets low-income and unhoused communities.
Fri, Apr 3, 2026
7:00–9:00 pm ET
In Person
Mar
27
Of Tracks and Trails: How Accessible Green Spaces Reshape Communities
Xiyue (Michelle) Li, a PhD student and Meyer Fellow, will discuss her research examining the impacts of rail trails on home prices and neighborhood demographics, both nationally and in the Boston area.
Fri, Mar 27, 2026
12:15–1:15 pm ET
Virtual
Mar
12
America's Rental Housing 2026
Renter cost burdens have surged to yet another record high even as rents for new leases show modest declines, signaling intensifying affordability pressures across the rental market. Join us for the release of our America's Rental Housing 2026 report.
Thu, Mar 12, 2026
4:00 pm ET
Virtual
Mar
9
Urban Conversations: A City Is Sometimes a Tree
Design theorist Christopher Alexander argued in 1965 that urban planners tend to design cities as efficient, hierarchical, tree-like structures, whereas successful traditional cities evolve naturally as messy, interconnected lattice structures. Geoff Boeing will reconsider this claim and, with Carole Voulgaris, will discuss how we can plan cities for more connected, sustainable futures.
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
12:00–1:00 pm ET
In Person
Please sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page to learn about new events as they are announced.
Our Mission
The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies strives to improve equitable access to decent, affordable homes in thriving communities. We conduct rigorous research to advance policy and practice, and we bring together diverse stakeholders to spark new ideas for addressing housing challenges. Through teaching and fellowships, we mentor and inspire the next generation of housing leaders.
