A Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy Is More Than Just Inclusionary Zoning

Participating on Oakland’s Inclusionary Housing Blue Ribbon Commission, a home builder points to the futility of inclusionary zoning and lists effective alternatives that should be included in a comprehensive approach to building affordable housing.

2 minute read

February 20, 2007, 5:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Joseph Perkins is President and CEO of the Home Builders Association of Northern California headquartered in San Ramon and a member of the City of Oakland's Inclusionary Housing Blue Ribbon Commission. In this op-ed, he urges the city to take a comprehensive approach to building affordable housing rather than relying solely on an inclusionary housing ordinance.

"If the city of Oakland really and truly means to grow its supply of affordable housing, then the commission should devise a comprehensive housing affordability plan that calls for contributions not just from the home building industry, but from the entire private sector, as well as the public sector and the lay public."

"State law requires that redevelopment agencies use at least 20 percent of their revenues for affordable housing. Yet, nothing precludes cities like Oakland from committing a larger proportion of those revenues for affordable housing. For example, the city of San Francisco dedicates 50 percent of its redevelopment revenues to affordable housing."

"Housing trust funds are another means of generating monies for affordable housing. Oakland's Affordable Housing Trust Fund imposes a jobs/housing impact fee on new office and warehouse development."

"A better approach, arguably, would be for city to adopt a linkage fee, like Napa County, which would be assessed not just on office and warehouse, but also new commercial and retail. Those revenues could then be distributed as loans to non-profit developers to provide leverage for tax-credit developments that are 100 percent affordable."

Thanks to ABAG-MTC Library

Friday, February 16, 2007 in The Oakland Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

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.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

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.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square