A compromise was necessary to enact inclusionary zoning in Philadelphia, and so far it eems to be working out for program supporters.
Nine months after Philadelphia expanded its voluntary inclusionary zoning bonus program, 12 projects using the incentive are in the pipeline and the idea is bearing fruit.
Jake Blumgart reports: "The 12 projects will collectively generate more than eight units of affordable housing and deliver $3 million to the city’s Housing Trust Fund, said Paul Chrystie, a spokesman for the Kenney administration."
The new inclusionary zoning program was approved in September, in a deal brokered by Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. The law "allows developers to build denser and taller residential projects if they include affordable units on site or contribute money to the Trust Fund — a kind of municipal bank that can provide subsidies for affordable projects," according to Blumgart.
The deal that allowed the inclusionary zoning deal to win approval switched the program from mandatory to voluntary and nixed a proposed construction tax.
"Quiñones-Sánchez said that while she still would prefer a policy that mandated developers build affordable or pay into the housing fund, the voluntary bonus’s track record so far signifies a win," according to Blumgart.
FULL STORY: Philadelphia’s controversial new affordable housing policy might actually be working
Will Philly's New Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Yield Results?
City leaders hope a new affordable housing law will increase the supply of affordable units in the city, but critics say the policy may lead to reduced construction and higher housing costs.
Housing on the Agenda as Philadelphia Election Approaches
In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.
Philadelphia Leaders Announce Affordable Housing Package—Inclusionary Zoning Not Included
Philadelphia will create a one percent "construction impact tax" to help fund affordable housing projects around the city.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association