More evidence that a common talking point of affordable housing opposition is more fear than fact.
Homeowners and other property owners have a history of opposing proposed affordable housing developments out of concern for their property values. Affordable housing projects will bring undesirable residents, crime, and blight to the neighborhood—according to this common line of thinking—and property values throughout the surrounding neighborhood will drop.
Except there is a growing body of evidence that suggests the common narrative is completely false.
Writing for the Urban Institute, Christina Plerhoples Stacy and Christopher Davis share recent research adds to the evidence for a more welcoming approach to affordable housing. The researchers used Zillow’s assessor and real estate database to estimate the relationship between affordable housing developments sales prices of single-family homes, duplexes, cooperatives, and residential condominiums between 2000 and 2020 in Alexandria, Virginia.
“We find that affordable units in the city of Alexandria are associated with a small but statistically significant increase in property values of 0.09 percent within 1/16 of a mile of a development, on average—a distance comparable to a typical urban block,” write the authors to explain their findings.
The entire report is available at the link below.
For more on the historic evidence of a similar benefit to property values from nearby affordable housing development, see also a Planetizen article about a Trulia study from 2016 and a Shelterforce article from 2012.
FULL STORY: Assessing the Impact of Affordable Housing on Nearby Property Values in Alexandria, Virginia
Affordable Housing Project Fails From Community Opposition in Honolulu
The final demise of a closely watched, controversial affordable housing project was reported this week in Honolulu.
To Clear Obstacles to Housing Affordability, Environmental Law Reformed in Washington
State and local lawmakers hope that recent reforms to the Washington State Environmental Policy Act are only an initial step toward ending the law's use as a tool for delaying affordable housing plans.
The Housing Crisis Grows in Rural Idaho
The state’s smaller communities are feeling the pressure of sharply rising housing costs, stagnating wages, and an aging population.
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