Finding an affordable place to call home is a challenge
just about everywhere today. Where people live directly relates to their
opportunities in life – schools their children attend, proximity
to jobs and transportation, safe streets, neighborhood environmental quality,
and access to healthy foods. Officials in cities of nearly every size are
grappling with how to make housing available to residents whose incomes
vary widely.
Inclusionary zoning has become an important local housing tool to increase
the supply of affordable housing in hundreds of cities throughout the nation—including
Boston, New York, San Diego, and San Francisco—and has secured tens
of thousands of units of affordable housing. Inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies
set aside a percentage of the rental or for-sale units in housing developments
for low- and moderate-income residents. In return, developers get to build
more units or receive other cost offsets to compensate them for their affordable
housing contributions. Linking affordable housing to market-rate developments
spreads affordable housing throughout a jurisdiction or a region—wherever
new housing is being built or rehabilitated—creating mixed-income
communities that strengthen opportunity.
PolicyLink works with community organizations and public officials across the country to craft effective IZ policies that can make more affordable housing available through private sector development. These communities have found that IZ offers a win-win situation for residents and developers, increasing the number of units available to low-income and moderate-income residents while enabling developers to realize a return on their investments.
PolicyLink is actively involved in advancing the implementation of inclusionary zoning in communities around the country. We do this through a range of activities, including capacity building (e.g., training and/or technical assistance), strategic and actionable research, media and communications, and support to local campaigns.
Please visit our Inclusionary Zoning tool for an overview of this effective housing policy tool.
We are currently engaged in active campaigns to implement inclusionary zoning in Washington, DC and New York City.
Washington, DC
Economic renaissance has brought a surge of both public and private investment
to the DC area. In response to rising housing prices and gentrification
pressures across the city, PolicyLink is partnered with DC ACORN, DC Agenda,
the Coalition of Nonprofit Housing, Empower DC, and the AFL-CIO Washington
DC Metro Council, to provide strategic support in building a coalition
for inclusionary zoning (IZ). A 2003 PolicyLink report Expanding
Housing Opportunity in Washington DC, laid the groundwork for the campaign, and
through 2004, we will support the Campaign for Inclusionary Zoning on political
strategy and strategic communications, training of community groups and
residents, and technical and research assistance.
For more information, please visit the DC Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning site at http://www.policylink.org/DCIZ/.
New York
Two dozen neighborhoods in New York City are in the midst of dramatic changes
as the administration of Mayor Michael C. Bloomberg undertakes substantial
redevelopment plans that could alter the pattern of growth for generations
to come. At the same time, the city's housing costs have marched upward,
making it increasingly difficult for many New Yorkers to afford housing.
The proposed changes will either deepen the challenges of affordability
or set a new course toward ensuring a diverse, stable housing stock that
serves the needs of a spectrum of New Yorkers. The mayor's initiative provides
an opportune moment for residents, housing advocates, and community leaders
to push for a policy to insure affordable housing. PolicyLink and the Pratt
Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development co-authored
Increasing Housing Opportunity
in New York City: The Case for Inclusionary Zoning, which examines the options for achieving more affordable housing
through the rezonings that are part of the mayor's plan. Since its release
in the fall of 2004, the report has been used extensively by a broad coalition
of over 80 organizations to build its case for inclusionary zoning in every
neighborhood where zoning changes are proposed. PolicyLink is part of the
media advisory group that is working with the coalition to build the case
for inclusionary zoning.
Providence, RI
PolicyLink is currently engaged in a housing study in market in Providence,
Rhode Island – assessing housing needs, conducting a financial analysis
of the housing development market, and gathering information from community
members on their top housing priorities.
LOCAL AND NATIONAL REPORTS
Expanding Housing Opportunity in Washington, DC: The Case for Inclusionary Zoning
Increasing Housing Opportunity in New York City: The Case for Inclusionary Zoning
ADVOCACY TOOLS
PolicyLink Equitable Development Toolkit – Inclusionary Zoning Tool: http://www.policylink.org/EDTK/IZ/
INCLUSIONARY HOUSING LISTSERV
PolicyLink has launched a listserv as a way to share information and strategies
that can help win and expand inclusionary housing. Get the latest news
on advances in inclusionary housing, learn about inspiring strategies that
have worked in other communities, and discuss policies and campaigns with
experts from around the country. To sign up for this email discussion group,
please visit: http://www.policylink.org/discussions/InclusionaryHousing.html