The city of Austin is using density bonus as an incentive for developers to include affordable housing in new developments.

"[The Austin] City Council unanimously approved the Affordability Unlocked bonus program," reports Ryan Thornton. The ordinance "[amends] city code by loosening site restrictions and promoting construction of more units in affordable and mixed-income housing developments."
"The program applies to developments without more than a quarter of space dedicated to commercial use in all base commercial and residential zoning districts as well as most special use zoning and overlay districts," adds Thornton.
To qualify, 50 percent of all units in a development must be income restricted, set at "60 percent median family income or below for rental units and 80 percent MFI for ownership developments."
Thornton's coverage of the new ordinance includes a lot more specific details about how and where the new Affordability Unlocked ordinance works, and the political process that got the ordinance across the finish line.
FULL STORY: Council passes affordable housing density bonus program

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

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont