A compromise was necessary to enact inclusionary zoning in Philadelphia, and so far it eems to be working out for program supporters.
Nine months after Philadelphia expanded its voluntary inclusionary zoning bonus program, 12 projects using the incentive are in the pipeline and the idea is bearing fruit.
Jake Blumgart reports: "The 12 projects will collectively generate more than eight units of affordable housing and deliver $3 million to the city’s Housing Trust Fund, said Paul Chrystie, a spokesman for the Kenney administration."
The new inclusionary zoning program was approved in September, in a deal brokered by Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. The law "allows developers to build denser and taller residential projects if they include affordable units on site or contribute money to the Trust Fund — a kind of municipal bank that can provide subsidies for affordable projects," according to Blumgart.
The deal that allowed the inclusionary zoning deal to win approval switched the program from mandatory to voluntary and nixed a proposed construction tax.
"Quiñones-Sánchez said that while she still would prefer a policy that mandated developers build affordable or pay into the housing fund, the voluntary bonus’s track record so far signifies a win," according to Blumgart.
FULL STORY: Philadelphia’s controversial new affordable housing policy might actually be working
Will Philly's New Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Yield Results?
City leaders hope a new affordable housing law will increase the supply of affordable units in the city, but critics say the policy may lead to reduced construction and higher housing costs.
Housing on the Agenda as Philadelphia Election Approaches
In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.
Philadelphia Leaders Announce Affordable Housing Package—Inclusionary Zoning Not Included
Philadelphia will create a one percent "construction impact tax" to help fund affordable housing projects around the city.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service