Development Incentives

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland City Council Wants More Community Benefits From Developers

A proposed measure would require developers receiving city incentives to provide more benefits to local stakeholders and increase local hiring.

March 7, 2023 - Signal Cleveland

Apartment buildings under construction with crane.

A Menu of Proposed Housing Policy Reforms

The Mercatus Center published a list of 16 policy recommendations designed to help states clear local obstacles for housing construction.

September 7, 2022 - Mercatus Center

A row of homes, some brightly colored, on a sunny day in Austin, Texas.

Austin Considering Zoning Tools to Support Affordable Housing Development

An expansion of the city’s vertical mixed-use (VMU) affordable development program is the furthest along of a package of reforms intended to spur the construction of affordable housing.

June 2, 2022 - Community Impact Newspaper

An image of stadium seats at Petco Park in San Diego, with new buildings under construction nearby in the background.

What Is a Density Bonus?

A density bonus offers development permissions beyond what's allowed by a zoning code as an incentive for developers to contribute to desired policy goals. Density bonus programs can offer numerous forms of incentives, and can be used as an incentive to address a variety of policy goals.

March 24, 2022 - James Brasuell

Riverside, California

More States Consider Tax Breaks for Low-Income Housing Developers

Legislators in five U.S. states this year will consider laws that create a state tax incentive program for low-income housing developers.

March 7, 2022 - Pew Stateline

Philadelphia Construction

Affordable Housing Bonus Program Expanded in Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia launched a height and density bonus in 2018 to create incentives for the development of affordable housing, but so far the results have proven underwhelming.

October 5, 2021 - PlanPhilly

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Statewide Zoning Reform Proposed in Minnesota

The proposed Comprehensive Housing Affordability Act would trade development fees for zoning relief.

August 24, 2021 - The Center Square

Boise Idaho

Boise Plans for 'Urban Renewal District'

The proposal seeks to sustainably manage development along State Street, support local businesses, and improve public transit and pedestrian infrastructure in the area.

June 28, 2021 - BoiseDev

Westwood, Los Angeles

Reducing Car Trips in L.A.: Transportation Demand Management Ordinance Could Be Expanded

The proposed expansion would affect smaller multi-family developments and include incentives for reducing travel during peak hours and encouraging transit, walking, and biking.

June 17, 2021 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Ohio

Building on Recent Planning Success in Akron

Following the success of Planning to Grow Akron, spurring the development of thousands of housing units in the previously stagnant city, Planning to Grow Akron 2.0 will leverage federal stimulus funds to further stabilize the city's housing market.

May 13, 2021 - Akron Beacon Journal

Washington D.C. COnstruction

Study: New Markets Tax Credit 'Does What it Promises, Most of the Time'

The program, which gives tax credits to investors, has resulted in added jobs, increased incomes, and low rates of displacement.

May 12, 2021 - Next City

Los Angeles Density

What Is Floor Area Ratio?

Floor area ratio (FAR) is a critical measurement to the field of planning. FAR defines development intensity and determines numerous other regulations and development outcomes.

March 24, 2021 - James Brasuell

Mount Rainier

Sweeping Zoning Reforms Adopted in Olympia

The Olympia, Washington City Council adopted a new Housing Options Code Amendments ordinance, effectively eliminating single-family zoning in the city.

December 13, 2020 - The Olympian

Seattle

Researchers Flaunt the Benefits of Reduced Minimum Parking Requirements

Seattle is one of the U.S. cities shrinking minimum parking requirements to allow for denser, more affordable development near transit.

December 2, 2020 - Transfers Magazine

Texas Apartment Construction

Loopholes in Texas Development Tax Break Break Affordable Housing Promises

A tax break approved by the Texas Legislature is delivering massive benefits to developers in the state, but advocates say the public isn't getting the promised return on investment.

September 17, 2020 - San Antonio Express-News

Single Family Residential Construction

Early Returns on Austin's New Density Bonus Program: 2,337 Affordable Housing Units

Since late 2019, developers who deliver affordable housing units in Austin have received bonuses in height, density, parking, and other regulatory metrics, leading to a large number of new affordable housing units in the pipeline.

September 10, 2020 - Austin Monitor

Pennsylvania

Developers Rush to Build in Final Days of Philly's Tax Abatement

Neighborhoods that have been stubbornly resistant to investment for decades are suddenly the scene of waves of permitting activity as the city of Philadelphia prepares to tighten its tax abatement program.

August 12, 2020 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Millennial Commerce

Report Assesses Equity Outcomes for the Opportunity Zone Program

Critics have raised doubts and concerns about the potential misuse of the federal Opportunity Zone program since it was approved in 2017, but a new report finds some evidence that the program is working toward its promoted intention.

June 22, 2020 - Urban Institute

Atlanta

Debating Public Incentives for Private Developments

A debate common in growing cities around the country is taking place in Atlanta in answer to the question of how much support private developers need from the public.

March 6, 2020 - Curbed Atlanta

West Palm Beach, Florida

Opportunity Zones Under Investigation by Treasury Inspector General

Along with other members of congress, one of the authors of the law that established the federal Opportunity Zones program has asked the Treasury Department to investigate potential abuse of the program. The Treasury inspector general is obliging.

January 17, 2020 - NBC News

Planner II

City of Greenville

Planner I

City of Greenville

Rural Projects Coordinator (RARE AmeriCorps Member)

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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