Balance between state and local control and between private and public solutions are necessary for meaningful improvement in housing affordability, according to planning activist and affordable housing developer Murtaza Baxamusa.
In this op-ed derived from testimony given for a panel on affordable housing solutions, affordable housing advocate and developer Murtaza Baxamusa argues in favor of a broad spectrum and balanced strategy. Among other things, in the op-ed, Baxamusa:
- Surveys new legislation – state and local, passed and proposed, e.g.,
- Senate Bills 1 & 2, Measure JJJ in LA, SB 1505, SB 35.
- Cautions against blaming CEQA for housing shortages and notes its importance for community involvement and acceptance, and for improving projects.
- Notes importance of preserving existing housing.
- Argues that many of the existing strategies merely fuel speculation and replace more affordable housing stock with luxury housing.
- Cautions against use of the vague terminology of “workforce housing” and “middle income housing” as watering down affordability requirements.
- Cautions that incentive based strategies must be paired with firm exactions.
Overall, Baxamusa cautions that one sided supply-side solutions fuel “rent seeking” opportunism by speculators, that depletes rather than creates affordable housing. Incentives to private developers must be paired with firm requirements and exactions. For more detail, please see the source article.
FULL STORY: How the state can address California’s housing crisis
New California Bond Program Promotes Affordability for Middle-Income Renters
The California Statewide Communities Development Authority hopes that a new program, which helps cities purchase rental properties with no upfront cost, will lead to an increase in affordable middle-income housing.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)