Making inclusionary housing work

From Seattle to San Francisco to Chicago to Portland, Maine, debates are raging over inclusionary housing – the requirement that developers reserve a percentage of new residential development as affordable. Some say the policy discourages development, or, in an argument that could reach the Supreme Court, threatens property rights. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio faces dual criticisms that his inclusionary housing proposal goes too far, or not far enough.
     Today the Lincoln Institute released a new report, Inclusionary Housing: Creating and Maintaining Equitable Communities, that separates myth from fact, charting a path forward for policymakers and showing how inclusionary housing can be used effectively to reduce economic segregation.
     “In hot-market cities, skyrocketing housing prices push middle class and low income residents far away from well-paying jobs, reliable transportation, good schools and safe neighborhoods,” said Lincoln Institute President George W. “Mac” McCarthy. “Inclusionary housing alone will not solve our housing crisis, but it is one of the few bulwarks we have against the effects of gentrification—and, only if we preserve the units that we work so hard to create.”
     Through a review of literature and case studies, author Rick Jacobus of Cornerstone Partnership offers solutions for overcoming the major political, technical, legal and practical barriers to successful inclusionary housing programs.
     “More than 500 communities have used inclusionary housing policies to help maintain the vibrancy and diversity of neighborhoods in transition, and we’ve learned much along the way,” Jacobus says. “Research shows that if programs are thoughtfully designed and implemented, they can be a valuable tool at a time when affordable housing is desperately needed.”
     In particular, the report addresses the concern that inclusionary housing can impede new construction by making development less profitable. According to the report, many cities have avoided such impacts by allowing flexibility in how developers comply and offering incentives, such as the ability to build at greater densities.
     Other key findings and recommendations in the report include:

• Rapid construction of market rate housing actually fuels the need for more affordable housing by changing the character of neighborhoods.
• Inclusionary housing programs have been challenged in court, but programs can be thoughtfully designed to minimize legal risks.
• Follow-up in the form of enforcement and stewardship is critical. Some communities have created thousands of affordable homes, only to see them disappear after subsequent sales.

     The Lincoln Institute has for many years developed strategies to establish permanently affordable housing, including the establishment of community land trusts and other shared-equity arrangements. The effort is in recognition of the ongoing housing affordability crisis in many cities. Stratospheric rents and home prices in hot real estate markets are displacing longtime residents and changing the character of cities and neighborhoods.

Comments

[Kelly]

Inclusionary zoning is a great initiative. Recent financial turmoils have significantly reduced middle classes all over the globe. This fact should be seriously considered from home developers. They should start adjusting their strategies in order to meet the demand for affordable housing. It's true that margins are much lower, but as a percent of their potential customers, low income earners are becoming more and more. There's also the social responsibility issue here - our society is strong as stronger are the lowest layers of it. These people deserve to be given chance to have their home.