University Study: Sprawl Increases Affordable Housing

The author of a new study out of Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy says that sprawl increases the supply of affordable housing in a metropolitan region, and that efforts to limit sprawl will reduce that supply. Local housing and planning advocates agree that 'smart growth' is sometimes a front for keeping others from moving into an area, but that more often smart growth and affordable housing are compatible goals. They say the solution is to require affordable housing as part of development and to encourage higher densities in some areas while restricting growth in others.

Thanks to Jeff Levine