Judy Kay Frieder, CEAC, CSA, ECHMP, CLIPP’s Post

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.

Project 2025, the blueprint for a new conservative government, covers a lot of ground in its 900-plus pages. As I write for Bisnow, that also includes policy around zoning, affordable housing and homelessness strategy. Here’s how the policy doc might impact housing and development https://lnkd.in/g-qJXhDJ

[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)!

Our very own Senior Manager of External Relations, Michael Wilt, moderated the 2024 ULI Housing Opportunity Conference session, “A Look Back on the Latest State and Local Housing Policy Innovations.” During this panel discussion, experts discussed innovative state & local housing policies that are making a big splash. Think zoning reform like Boise, Idaho, or density bonuses for affordable housing like Austin, Texas. Plus, there's more! Texas' new streamlined permitting process for commercial buildings shows innovation goes beyond housing. Read the full article and learn more: https://lnkd.in/g9ra3eSG #TSAHC #ULI #Housing #Texas

EPS helps bring about significant land use and zoning amendments in Eagle, Colorado! In 2021, the Town of Eagle, Colorado, with a population of about 7,500, began updating its land use code for the first time since the 1970s to address rising housing prices. Eagle staff saw an opportunity to address affordable housing by leveraging state funds available to municipalities to complete a housing needs assessment and adopt new land use strategies. EPS, in collaboration with Clarion Associates, Town staff, an engaged Town Council, active resident participation, and state funding, brought about significant land use and zoning amendments. Read more about it: https://lnkd.in/dXa-NMhm

Thank you to the Phoenix Business Journal for publishing my article about how to assess the pros and cons of Arizona's new housing bill HB 2721. HB 2721 represents a proactive legislative effort to address the middle housing shortage and promote housing affordability and diversity. While it offers several potential benefits, including housing diversity, increased supply, urban revitalization, zoning reform and affordable housing access, it also raises concerns regarding neighborhood character, infrastructure impacts, parking and traffic, and community resistance. Read more: #HB2721 #landuselaw #WitheyMorrisBaugh

Check out or own Adam Baugh's Phoenix Business Journal article about how to assess the pros and cons of Arizona's new housing bill HB 2721. The bill represents a proactive legislative effort to address the middle housing shortage and promote housing affordability and diversity. While it offers several potential benefits, including housing diversity, increased supply, urban revitalization, zoning reform and affordable housing access, it also raises concerns regarding neighborhood character, infrastructure impacts, parking and traffic, and community resistance. #HB2721 #landuselaw #WitheyMorrisBaugh

Important to reiterate this part of his post: "An under-appreciated part of this success: the 2016 Zoning Update that made it so much easier to expand housing choices, in large part through significant reductions (or in Downtown, elimination) of parking requirements." You can either build housing for cars or housing for people. You can't efficiently or affordably accomplish both.

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!

Inclusionary zoning policies can backfire, leading to fewer homes and higher housing costs. A new study suggests ways to optimize inclusionary zoning for affordable housing. But direct housing subsidies, like vouchers, can be more effective and flexible. Eliza Relman reports.