The city of Boston is in the midst of a housing boom, and the city is considering asking developers to set aside a larger number of their units for affordable housing.
Boston's hot property market is putting a crunch on affordable housing. The city's Inclusionary Development Policy requires developers to set aside a percentage of their units for lower rents and the city is now considering raising that percentage. "That would make it the second increase in three years," writes Tim Logan.
The Inclusionary Development Policy is one of a few tools the city has for creating affordable housing. "Walsh has tried other ways to boost affordable housing, endorsing a small surcharge on property owners approved by city voters in 2016, and requiring more affordable units in buildings that go up on city-owned land," Logan reports.
Those in favor of raising the requirement point to Boston's housing boom as evidence that more could be asked of developers; those against it caution that adding too many requirements might slow developers too much and stop affordable housing from getting built in the first place.
FULL STORY: Boston might require developers to set aside more low-income units
Op-Ed: End the Excuses for Lack of Housing Construction
An op-ed in the Boston Globe argues that the endless negotiations over new residential developments—including over the inclusion of affordable housing units—hurts the city's housing market.
The Philadelphia Loan Program Transforming the Demographics of Development
The Jumpstart loan program is helping Black and female residents become developers.
Boston Launches New Affordable Housing Preservation Fund
The Boston Acquisition Fund will offer low-interest loans to developers who pledge to keep multifamily housing affordable.
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