Zoning Reform and Tax Abatements Drive Cincinnati's New Housing Equity Agenda

New political leadership in Cincinnati is centering housing equity in a proposal that would ease zoning restrictions and streamline Low Income Housing Tax Credits, among other measures.

2 minute read

January 20, 2022, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

Ami Parikh / Shutterstock

New Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval announced this week a package of housing reforms that could potentially put a major dent in the city's supply of single-family zones.

Allison Babke summarizes the package as follows in an article for CityBeat:

Pureval said that he will introduce a motion to Cincinnati City Council to conduct a comprehensive housing incentive and zoning review. The motion also would engage residents and remove housing barriers, Pureval said. The review and legislation that follows will guide Cincinnati's future growth and boost mixed-income affordable housing instead of concentrating incentives in neighborhoods that already are wealthy, he added.

According to Babke, Reggie Harris, council member and chair of the equitable growth and housing committee, is already working on a proposal to "update zoning laws that currently deem certain multi-family units illegal."

Both Mayor Puerval and Councilmember Harris are quoted in the article iterating the importance of equity in guiding housing reforms, increasing housing options and affordability in Cincinnati neighborhoods that historically have been left out of redevelopment investments.

A separate article by Becca Costello for WVXU headlines a different component of the proposal: tax abatements to developers applying for federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Councilmember Harris, again, is writing an ordinance that would streamline the LIHTC application process.

Additional news coverage of Cincinnati's new housing reform agenda is available in articles for WCPO and Spectrum News 1.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 in CityBeat

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

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.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

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.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog