Affordable Housing

Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Units Under Consideration in Portland
The proposed property tax exemption in Portland would be from the "carrot" school of affordable housing incentives.
California's First Use of 2017 'By-Right' Housing Law
A Berkeley parking lot is the site of the state's first implementation of a controversial landmark law that allows eligible developments with affordable housing to bypass the normal channels for approval if they conform to local zoning laws.

Detroit Announces $250 Million Affordable Housing Fund
The city of Detroit is setting affordable housing as the cornerstone of its growth strategy.

California Spends $6.5 Billion on Homeowner Subsidies, 15 Times Less on Renters
A new report from the California Housing Partnership "revealed a wide gap between state support for homeowners and renters."
Las Vegas Homeless Encampment to Become Permanent
The city of Las Vegas is buying land on Foremaster Lane and making it legal for homeless residents to camp there.

The Other Affordable Housing Trend in Oregon: Construction Excise Taxes
Inclusionary zoning hasn't helped as much as the state of Oregon was hoping when it passed a law to lift restrictions on the policy in 2016. Construction excise taxes could be the next policy to catch on around the state.

Austin Proposes Using Blockchain Technology to Help Its Homeless
The city wants to give its 7,000 citizens without permanent homes "[u]nique digital identifiers" to help them get reliable access to services.

The 7 Myths of Rent Control
The public perception of rent control has been dominated by apartment owner-funded studies and messaging for decades, fostering misconceptions about it's impact, according to poverty law attorney Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi.

Op-Ed: To Meet BeltLine's Affordable Housing Goals, Cut the Streetcar Plans
According to one argument, the importance of developing affordable housing is a higher priority for the Atlanta BeltLine than a streetcar. It's a question of scarce funding, and how to spend it to the greatest public benefit.

Affordable Housing Stock and Earthquake Risk
The city of Seattle needs more affordable housing, like most cities. It also has almost 2,000 existing affordable units at "high risk" in the event of an earthquake.

Inclusionary Zoning Not Turning Out the Way Ontario Housing Advocates Expected
A proposed inclusionary zoning scheme in Ontario would enable the first examples of the controversial housing policy in Canada.

'Housing an Inclusive Denver' Plan Approved
The city of Denver has a new five-year housing plan, but the details of housing spending will still play out during an annual process.

Inclusionary Zoning Under the Microscope as Housing Development Declines
An inclusionary zoning case study is emerging in Portland. Even if inclusionary zoning isn't broken, it might still need a fix, say local planners.

Working to Avoid the Pitfalls of the High Line
A highly anticipated linear park project in Philadelphia will open this year. Planners and activists have been working in anticipation of increased pressure on the local housing market.

Two Transit Agencies Using Their Clout to Spur Affordable Housing
More transit agencies are recognizing that it's not enough to build transit infrastructure if the people who really need it don't live close enough to use it.

Reevaluating Rent Control
Cities and researchers are reconsidering the effects of the controversial housing policy known as rent control.

Minneapolis Considering Inclusionary Housing Again
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender thinks the political calculus has changed for inclusionary zoning—but some critics think inclusionary zoning will be too little too late to make a difference for the city's affordable housing stock.
State Affordable Housing Policies as Sprawl Enabler
A critique of New Jersey's housing policies lends historical perspective before taking an unexpected rhetorical turn.

The Country's First Municipal Cryptocurrency Could Fund Affordable Housing
The city of Berkeley is exploring the sale of digital tokens—backed by municipal bonds—as a fundraising mechanism for affordable housing and other local priorities.
Editorial Opposes Use of Eminent Domain to Give Property to For-Profit Developer
The borough of Emerson, New Jersey is testing the limits of eminent domain.
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