Philadelphia will create a one percent "construction impact tax" to help fund affordable housing projects around the city.
The Philadelphia City Council this week commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act by announcing a long awaited and heavily debated package of affordable housing bills.
According to Jake Blumgart, the "ambitious" set of bills includes a new "construction impact tax" and a "raft of new inclusionary zoning bonuses." The package is also notable for what it does not include: mandatory inclusionary zoning.
"The bill would also segment the Housing Trust Fund into two separate “sub-funds,” one for the current revenue stream from a fee assessed on deeds and mortgages and one for the proceeds from the proposed construction tax," according to Blumgart.
Much of Blumgart's analysis of the new affordable housing policy proposal in Philadelphia focuses on the proposed construction impact tax, which would implement a one percent tax "levied on the estimated cost of construction and will be due at the time the building permit is issued."
FULL STORY: City Council set to release sweeping new affordable housing bills
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.
Study Identifies Inclusionary Zoning's Fatal Flaw
Inclusionary zoning can't work because of the exclusionary zoning policies that the system relies on, according to new research.
Voluntary Inclusionary Zoning Scores Early Wins in Philadelphia
A compromise was necessary to enact inclusionary zoning in Philadelphia, and so far it eems to be working out for program supporters.
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?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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