Minneapolis Considering Inclusionary Housing Again

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.

1 minute read

February 20, 2018, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

Jdkoenig / Wikimedia Commons

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.

Monday, February 19, 2018 in MinnPost

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Two Rivian trucks charging at Rivian branded charging ports.

US Senate Reverses California EV Mandate

The state planned to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, a goal some carmakers deemed impossible to meet.

May 22 - CALmatters

Metal U.S. Geodetic Survey marker in stone in Arizona.

Trump Cuts Decimate Mapping Agency

The National Geodetic Survey maintains and updates critical spatial reference systems used extensively in both the public and private sectors.

May 22 - Wired

Close-up of 10 mph speed limit sign.

Washington Passes First US ‘Shared Streets’ Law

Cities will be allowed to lower speed limits to 10 miles per hour and prioritize pedestrians on certain streets.

May 22 - The Urbanist