WGI’s Post

Inspiring Affordable Housing Solutions for New Jersey: Learning from NYC Taking cues from recent zoning changes proposed in New York City by mayor ERIC ADAMS, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy can proactively address its housing challenges statewide. By embracing flexible zoning regulations and incentivizing developers, we can create more affordable housing options statewide. Let’s explore how New Jersey can draw inspiration from NYC’s approach to spur housing development. 1. Addressing Concerns: Instead of letting concerns about school systems hinder housing development, New Jersey should prioritize the societal benefits of diverse housing options. 2. Incentivizing Developers: Offering incentives like tax breaks and streamlined processes can attract developers to invest in affordable housing projects. 3. Flexibility in Zoning: Adopting form-based codes and mixed-use zoning districts can promote compact, walkable communities with diverse housing options. 4. Collaborative Approach: Engaging stakeholders, including policymakers and residents, fosters dialogue and ensures development decisions reflect local needs. By learning from NYC’s example recently reported in the Commercial Observer New Jersey can create a more inclusive and equitable housing market. Let’s work together to unlock the potential for affordable housing statewide. #AffordableHousing #ZoningFlexibility #CommunityDevelopment #NewJersey #multifamily #HousingForAll #development State of New Jersey New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) #BuilderToBroker

Highlighted here are recent, successful planning efforts in the Town of Acton, MA and the TOWN OF MAYNARD. Acton, designated a Commuter Rail Community, and Maynard, designated an Adjacent Community, are both required to comply with the MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Requirement (Section 3A) by the end of 2024. Through effective community engagement and a holistic approach to planning, the two towns not only adopted zoning necessary to achieve Section 3A compliance, but also implemented zoning recommendations identified through robust visioning processes. 👏 If your community has not yet adopted Section 3A-compliant zoning, MAPC has prepared resources to help you in your district selection process and to prepare for local adoption. Learn more through the link 🔗 below!

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

Ontario’s housing by-laws cover a varied set of legal powers. Here are three tools municipalities and #housing providers should know about - inclusionary zoning, rental replacement by-laws, and so-called renoviction licensing - and how they might affect the development process: https://ow.ly/89Lt50RAW0I Authored by: Thomas Sanderson, William Stevenson #MTRealEstate #MTInsights #municipal

Cities across the country are tackling the affordable housing crisis by rethinking zoning and land use policies. From reducing minimum lot sizes to permitting accessory dwelling units, these changes are creating more housing options for communities. Explore our latest case studies to see how zoning reforms are expanding affordable housing opportunities: https://lnkd.in/ehgSQX7x 

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

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

Needham Town Meeting delivered a powerful message this week. It goes something like this: Yes, we recognize that we need to be part of the solution when it comes to addressing the region’s soul-crushing housing crisis. Yes, we want to be a community young adults can call home; a place where seniors can downsize; and a place that provides housing for our municipal workforce, teachers and private sector employees. And yes, we want to strengthen our local restaurants and merchants and protect our environment by creating a more vibrant, walkable, Needham Center and Heights. It took a village to narrowly win approval, 118 to 90, of the Neighborhood Housing Plan on Monday, the more ambitious of two proposed options to comply with the MBTA Communities Law. Let’s hope what happens in Needham doesn’t stay in Needham. Let’s hope it inspires more municipalities across the Commonwealth to also go bold. https://lnkd.in/ejVRKmiM

A good list of case studies highlighting examples of cities around the country rethinking planning and zoning policies to encourage more affordable housing.

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.