Over a quarter of families in Salt Lake City pay half their income on rent, and between 2000 and 2011, median home values increased by 47 percent.
"Mayor Ralph Becker announced last week the 5,000 Doors Initiative — a five-year plan for the creation or preservation of 5,000 affordable housing units across the city," reports Alexis Stephens. "The initiative seeks to make 2,500 of the units available to low-income renters and 2,500 units for homebuyers."
Stephens's reportage includes a conversation with Michael Ackerlow, the city’s director of housing and neighborhood redevelopment, who provides insight into the need for the plan and how the plan will work.
"The 5,000 Doors Initiative is a jumping-off point not only to create a citywide conversation about affordable housing, but visioning the future of housing in Salt Lake City in general. Inclusionary zoning might be on the table, as well as other incentives for developers to create mixed-income housing. Becker’s administration plans to work closely with City Council to create a housing plan that builds on comprehensive housing policy the city adopted in 2012."
Christopher Smart also reported on the plan the week it was released, noting that it's unclear if inclusionary zoning has the political support to make it through the council: "Whether the council has the political will to push for mandated affordable housing in large developments is unclear, said Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall. The council, however, does appear ready to embrace Becker's initiative that focuses on incentives for private-sector development."
FULL STORY: Salt Lake City Mayor Shoots for 5,000 Affordable Housing Units
Kansas City Trying New Approaches to Affordable Housing
After years of neglecting its affordable housing policy, Kansas City is developing a new five-year vision on policy matters like a public-private trust fund and inclusionary zoning.
Not All of San Diego's Inclusionary Zoning Funds Going to Affordable Housing
San Diego finds itself having to explain how its inclusionary zoning program spending diverged from expectations.
Tennessee Legislature Blocks Nashville's 2016 Inclusionary Zoning Policy
Republicans in the Tennessee State Legislature made sure Nashville will never know if its inclusionary zoning policy would have delivered affordable housing in 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.
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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.
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service