Land acquisition makes up 15 to 20 percent of the cost of an average home in the Austin area.
In an article for The Real Deal, Andrew Terrell outlines the city of Austin’s HOME Initiative, which takes aim at housing affordability via density and other zoning and land use changes.
As Terrell explains, “The first phase, approved in December, allowed the construction of up to three homes on single-family lots and streamlined the approval process, making it more accessible and cost-effective for developers. Since it took effect, 160 applications for 300 housing units have been filed, and more than 100 of these applications have been approved.”
Terrell adds that not all neighborhoods are eligible for immediate new development, noting, “Projects in Wildland-Urban Interface zones or areas deemed vulnerable to displacement in the University of Texas’ Uprooted Report, which identifies gentrification and displacement, will face delayed application processes to allow for additional review and consideration of potential impacts on sensitive areas of the city.”
With land acquisition making up 15 to 20 percent of the cost of a home in the Austin area, reducing lot sizes could save over $60,000 on the cost of an average home.
FULL STORY: Will Austin’s YIMBY lot-size reductions create affordable housing?
Austin Reduces Minimum Lot Size
Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes can make construction more affordable and homeownership available to more households.
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities
Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions