The city of South San Francisco recently approved a linkage fee for commercial developments, following the lead of a few other cities that have decided on linkage fees as a similar mechanism to fund affordable housing.
"Building in South San Francisco will come with a slightly higher price tag under a decision to combat the local affordability crisis with a new fee paid by those proposing commercial developments," reports Austin Walsh.
Developers of retail, commercial, and hotel uses will pay the new linkage fee. "Under the decision, builders will be required to pay $5 per square foot of new hotel space; $2.50 for restaurant or retail square footage and $15 for the same amount of office, medical or research and development space," adds Walsh.
"Officials expect the fees over the next couple years could generate between $5 million to $15 million, which will flow into a fund designed to facilitate construction of more affordable housing opportunities," according to Walsh.
The article includes more detail about the political debate that lead to the South San Francisco City Council's adoption of the new linkage fee.
A follow up article on the news by Rachel Dovey places South San Francisco's new linkage fee in context of the other cities adding linkage fees to generate funding for affordable housing projects.
FULL STORY: South City adopts commercial linkage fees
Opinion: Local Governments Must Take Urgent Action on Affordable Housing Funds
Cities and states have until the end of the year to decide how to spend federal affordable housing dollars.
Washington State Legislature Could Continue Housing Reforms in 2024
2023 saw some victories and some setbacks for housing advocates. Lawmakers plan to continue the fight in 2024.
Denver Adopts Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning
The Denver City Council recently adopted the “Expanding Housing Affordability” policy.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
San Francisco Announces Plan to Overhaul Homelessness Strategy
Mayor Lurie’s three-phase plan promises 1,500 new shelter beds and a restructuring of outreach teams and supportive service programs.
$5 Billion Rental Assistance Fund Set to Run Out of Cash
“No additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming,” HUD announces.
Denver Could Eliminate Parking Requirements
The city could remove parking mandates citywide to reduce the cost of housing construction and ease permitting for new projects.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Florida Atlantic University
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service