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.
The city of Minneapolis is set to debate affordable housing tool as the City Council debates an inclusionary zoning ordinance proposed by City Council president Lisa Bender for the second time since 2015.
Peter Callaghan reports on the politics of affordable housing in Minneapolis as the City Council prepares to debate the ordinance. According to Bender, "the politics on the council have changed since she first introduced the issue," and she is now pushing for the city to "consider a mandatory affordable housing program downtown — and perhaps look at offering incentives in other parts of the city."
The article introduces the inclusionary zoning concept to the Minneapolis audience, referencing inclusionary zoning policy adopted in Portland. Callaghan also collects several reasons that the City Council will have to move ahead cautiously in adopting an inclusionary zoning policy.
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