In the growing trend of community participation in urban and policy processes on the local and regional level, a variety of new mechanisms and policies allow residents to participate in political decisions about the future of affordable housing conditions in their cities. One of the biggest challenges that emerge with these “participatory practices” is how to ensure that they truly contribute to strengthening the citizen power. The questions that emerge are what is the history of community participation in housing strategies in Ljubljana and the region. How are other cities/regions strengthening participation in alternative housing strategies? How can design contribute and assist the process of envisioning new participatory practices in housing strategies? I am proposing a two-day design focused conference/workshop and discussions, which will explore the various challenges facing public participation in housing policies in our cities.