Most people have heard the phrase beginning with “Year of the,” denoting an emphasis on one particular topic or group of topics — also possibly including a number of sub-topics of similar scope or substance.

For Altoona, if all falls into place as deemed possible and workable, 2026 might well merit designation as the “Year of the House,” because of how housing-related preliminary work already underway is establishing the groundwork for exciting possibilities, going forward, for this forward-looking city.

The effort that’s underway must continue — uninhibited. Leaders here possess the talent, vision and determination to resolve whatever setbacks or delays might be forthcoming during the months ahead — before those challenges of a negative nature damage the long-term community assets that are being pursued.

Altoona is a great city, despite the challenges with which it has had to deal over the past 50 years or so. Also smacking of greatness is the new housing venture announced recently, whose goal is to use available, now-vacant property in a beneficial way, not allow it to remain vacant and thus a potential or real liability, from a community-wide perspective, including a fiscal one.

This city is moving up, from a stature standpoint, and making progress in a number of ways.

The newly announced housing initiative, then, if proving successful, will add to the list of evolving accomplishments.

Of course, there no doubt are some individuals who will disagree with what is being planned; few new proposals evolve without some uncertainty, pessimism or opposition.

However, city officials here must continue to act on behalf of the greater good — the things most beneficial to the city as a whole — while also working on behalf of minimizing any concerns through promoting a better understanding of what’s planned and what’s at stake.

Some of that won’t be easy, but neither will it be impossible.

The housing initiative, as outlined in a front-page article in the Mirror’s Nov. 22-23 edition, will center around three new development strategies consistent with recommendations in the city’s new comprehensive plan.

Two of the strategies in question would enable the city to take advantage of the narrow vacant lots created by structure demolitions over the years. Those lots have been labeled frequently, over the years, as not conducive to “installing” anything new, but that’s not now considered correct.

Meanwhile, the third strategy would involve “borrowing” an idea implemented by the Michigan city of Kalamazoo — an idea, by the way, that Kalamazoo has used successfully because it is a shield against sameness, a sameness that could work against the beauty of this city’s landscape as well.

In the Mirror’s November article, Altoona City Manager Christopher McGuire explained that working with engineers, community development experts and code officials, Kalamazoo has developed seven or eight housing designs for various applications, in various styles and with various numbers of stories to provide builders with a menu of plans from which to pick.

As explained by McGuire during a city Redevelopment Authority meeting on Nov. 21, having such a menu would eliminate the need for time-consuming land development approvals and the costs associated with them.

The three new strategies, if implemented, can work to this city’s advantage in a big way, including strengthening the property tax base.

The “Year of the House” — what a great idea for most cities.

Indeed, what a great idea for Altoona.