Structural Functionalism In Community Development

The City of Bend has great need for successful affordable housings programs. According to the 2014 Annual Renters Survey, the city has a vacancy rate of .6 percent, compared to a national vacancy rate of 4.1 percent. Similarly, housing inventory, as defined by number of listings available divided by closed listings per month, only stands at 2 months for homes valued $250,000 of less. This significant demand coupled with constrained supply has led to median house prices of $321,500, or percent 50% above national average in a wage environment with income equal to the national average. As a result, most housing in bend is unaffordable. One of the direct results from this is the number of commuters that commute to the city for employment. Of the approximately 40,000 jobs available, half are filled by labor that lives outside …show more content…
In the TOC example provided, the non-profit organization Bend 2030 has completed research, engaged citizens, and made recommendations to the community on how to increase affordable housing. Most, if not all, of these recommendations have been placed on the shelf. Structural functionalism would encourage these recommendations to be linked to other programs and ideas of other organizations. For example the local home builders association might take the report and make recommendations for a more efficient use of construction materials. The City Planners might pick up the report and integrate the request for higher density housing. Our Economic Development team might have already completed a report on what exactly is affordable. A development team focused on structural functionalism would create these links with internal and external organizations, as well as local entrepreneurs. The result would be a single united front, with the combined strength and resources of multiple organizations working towards a common