Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.’s Post

[Part 1] Recently an article I contributed to was published by the Regional Plan Association concerning the state of affordable housing in New Jersey. It gives insight to the past, present, and future of housing in New Jersey. Coincidently it was published around the same time I made available a housing guide for Jersey City concerning the recent changes in our Land Development Ordinance (see the next post)!

Biden-Harris Administration Takes Additional Steps to Increase Housing Supply and Lower Housing Costs Across the Country. #LowerHousingCosts #RemoveHousingBarriers #HousingZoning #HousingPermitting Today, the Biden-Harris Administration and HUD announced $85 million in grants through the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program. The PRO Housing program provides funding to state and local governments that are committed to addressing local barriers to housing production and supports their ability to take various actions, such as updating housing plans, revising land use policies, incentivizing development, and streamlining the construction permitting process. Grantees will also be able to use their awards to address outdated zoning laws that hinder housing production, create subsidies that facilitate preservation of affordable homes, and design programs to expand access to homeownership. While only 21 grantees were selected, over 175 PRO Housing program applicants identified several challenges they encounter during the construction process, including high land and construction costs, outdated development processes, and risks of extreme weather hazards. Applicants that were not selected for this round of PRO Housing funding will receive technical assistance to support their efforts to increase supply and lower housing costs. Additionally, HUD and the Biden-Harris Administration will release a second round of funding for the PRO Housing program later this year.

The impact of land use policies of this scale can’t be fully assessed for decades. But in just 19 months, our Mixed-Income Neighborhoods Overlay promises to generate 160+ affordable private market homes (and counting!) in areas of opportunity, without halting development! Between 2018 and 2022, affordable housing accounted for 0.004% of new homes built by the private market in MIN’s West Philadelphia section. And even with thousands of units coming online, rents hit record highs. We knew we couldn’t sit on our hands as our working-class, Black and brown neighbors got priced out. That’s why our grassroots coalition worked hard to enact Philly’s first mandatory inclusionary zoning, a tool countless cities successfully deployed to defy displacement. We already amended MIN to make it easier to accomplish our goal, including allowing landlords to accept housing vouchers even if the amount exceeds MIN’s maximum rent. I look forward to continuing to work together to construct the affordable housing our communities need!

Likely changes in housing policy under the next administration - Post 5/5: AFFH, Housing Supply, Zoning, Anti-Nimbyism etc. 1. You can be near certain that the Biden Administration's Proposed (February 2023) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule (AFFH) will be suspended and cancelled. On Day One. 2. P25 proposes eliminating the Housing Supply Plan and Housing Supply Fund. 3. There is some debate as to whether the anti-anti-Nimby wording in Project 25 from Dr. Ben Carson actually represents the views of the administration? Quoting directly from the P25 document: "...local autonomy and the ability of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and communities to choose for themselves the sort of housing they want to allow." (p. 511). "It is essential that legislation provides states and localities maximal flexibility to pursue locally designed policies and minimize the likelihood of federal preemption of local land use and zoning decisions." (p. 511) 4. Emphasis on preserving single-family-only zoning.

Check out the interactive map highlighting Transit Eligible Properties for the MD Housing Expansion and Affordability Act in this post!

Last week, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) adopted the 2024 Oregon Housing Needs Analysis Rulemaking! The Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) refocuses the state's housing planning process to promote housing production, affordability, and choice. House Bill 2001 in 2023 directed DLCD to incorporate this comprehensive framework into Oregon Administrative Rules under the statewide planning goals on housing and urbanization. Adoption of these rules represents the most significant housing reform in Oregon in fifty years. This rulemaking focused specifically on housing needs, production, and acceleration. Future phases of rulemaking to complete this legislative body of work will focus on other aspects of the OHNA, including capacity and urbanization. Learn more about the OHNA rule adoption in our recent press release! https://lnkd.in/gUiyufCT The OHNA has been a significant priority for DLCD's Housing Services Division and the Governor's Office. Congratulations to the team on this success! #Housing #Affordability #Success

The plan is to offer grants to cities to “evaluate, develop or update, land use policies in hopes that it would spur further development of homes while efficiently using land. #HousingPolicy #CityDevelopment #MetroHousing

I hate to strike on the same key. Per previous posts, a good analysis of lack of long-term planning and potential impact of policies which are only looking at the short-term political goals without a comprehensive assessment of available infrastructure, placement of old tenancies and many other aspects which will have a negative impact on our neighborhoods without (in my humble opinion) actually addressing the affordability issue which was the triggering issue in the first place. Don’t take me wrong. I’m all for densification as long as there is a careful review of all aspects of a development, specific to its context, which would actually improve affordability and increase the supply of much needed housing. Not a one size fits all rushed strategy. I’m involved in a couple of studies for plexes and I truly believe that responsible (gentle) densigication is possible without greater impact to our neighborhoods. However 6 units on a 3,000 sf lot …….. not sure if it’s the right solution to our problems. Thoughts?

In anticipation of Official Plan Amendment 727 and Zoning By-law Amendment 608-2024 coming into force and effect, Blair Scorgie is working with developers, technical consultants, and municipal and agency staff to help the City of Toronto realize its vision for the evolution of our Major Streets. Scorgie Planning is actively engaged in the early stages of several mid-rise purpose-built rental housing projects that will create much-needed housing supply, diversify the existing housing stock, promote public transit and active transportation, and capitalize on proximity to existing community services and facilities.

Transit-oriented development - building housing near transit - is a key part of creating a more affordable, more connected region. Regional Plan Association’s newest report, Homes on Track, lays out a framework to identify opportunities and challenges in creating TODs in the New York metropolitan area. Failing to advance transit-oriented development in New York will only make the housing crisis worse. Homes on Track provides a list of suggested policy interventions, planning goals, and financial investments to create TODs.