Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Post

From LIHTC to accessibility and sustainability, Shelterforce looks at arguments over the cost of building affordable housing: which arguments have merit and which are short-sighted? https://lnkd.in/eSMD7Dic

🌟 #SSMUHCountdown Spotlight 🌟 At Small Housing, our journey through various communities in British Columbia has highlighted that the optimal way to drive affordability with gentle density development is through a homeowner-led approach. In a recent roundtable discussion with industry and local planners that we hosted, the consensus was clear: if gentle density is to really take off across the province, better pathways and incentives are needed for homeowners to develop their properties themselves, rather than selling to developers. Permitting strata more broadly is just one means of supporting this ambition of remove barriers that are reducing the viability of gentle density projects from emerging. We can see this clearly in the District of Oak Bay and their recent Bill 44 reforms, whereby homeowners can now build multiple units and opt for stratification to support ownership tenure and rental opportunities. Permitting strata offers homeowners more flexibility in catering for their evolving needs, allowing them to either stratify and sell newly developed units, or retain these units as rentals. You can read more about the role of strata in supporting gentle density housing through our special Guidance Paper, available to download for free on the Gentle Density Toolbox: https://lnkd.in/gxt5Ymyf Akua Schatz Vienna Braux Aina Adashynski David Sisk Jeff Waters, P.Eng. André Boel (RPP, MCIP) #housing #supports #solutions #policy #britishcolumbia

“We’ve had exclusionary zoning since Euclid vs. Ambler,” said Toccarra Nicole Thomas, AICP, MBA, director of land use and development at Smart Growth America. “Ninety-eight percent of all American land is under some form of Euclidean zoning. The great communities that we all love were created without the boundaries of Euclidean zoning.” ➡ https://lnkd.in/g9ra3eSG Zoning reform can advance racial equity, support housing attainability, create healthy communities, and decarbonize buildings to mitigate climate change. Learn more in this report we created in partnership with Urban Land Institute ➡ https://lnkd.in/gNU---qk

ICYMI: In Shelterforce's latest article as part of their Under the Lens series, a breakdown of standards and considerations used by the #affordablehousing industry to determine what makes "green" housing are examined with insights from #HPNmembers cdcb , Foundation Communities, and our peers at Enterprise Community Partners. We look forward to reading more stories in this series. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gQa29bm8

🏡 This informative blog explores actionable strategies that can lead the charge in making affordable living a reality for everyone. 🗺️ From innovative zoning reforms to public-private partnerships, this guide lays out the roadmap for urban areas to foster inclusive, affordable communities. Click the link to uncover how communities- even ours- can unlock a brighter, more equitable future for residents. 🌞 https://lnkd.in/g_N4yCtt

CREB® engages in blanket rezoning talks at Calgary's City Hall Here's a recap of CREB®'s key points presented at the hearing: Local real estate dynamics: CREB® reiterated that real estate is local, with each community having unique characteristics and needs. A blanket rezoning approach fails to consider this diversity, potentially leading to negative impacts on community character, property values, and overall quality of life for residents.  Evidence-based solutions: Emphasizing the importance of evidence-based solutions, CREB® highlighted the lack of conclusive evidence supporting the effectiveness of blanket rezoning in addressing housing supply and affordability challenges. The organization stressed the need for targeted zoning measures and sustainable development practices tailored to specific areas and community needs. Transparency and community engagement: CREB® called for transparency and extensive community engagement in the decision-making process regarding zoning changes. The organization advocated for respecting the rights of property owners and community associations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with stakeholders at all levels. Alternative solutions: In lieu of blanket rezoning, CREB® proposed exploring alternative solutions such as comprehensive neighbourhood plans, the creation of a Community Land Trust for affordable housing, utilization of municipal-owned land parcels, and the promotion of secondary suites and laneway housing. These solutions offer practical and sustainable ways to expand housing options without compromising community integrity. Overall, CREB®'s participation at the public hearing underscored our commitment to advocating for responsible and community-centric approaches to addressing Calgary's housing challenges. Source CREB (Calgary Real Estate Board)

Architectural Digest's recent article on America's shortcomings in affordable housing features Crossroads for its unique, against the grain approach in combating the stereotypes of public housing. 🏘️ Check out the full article below to learn more about how Crossroads, and other organizations across the country, are confronting this ongoing crisis:

In February, I convened California officials, preservationists, housing activists, and academics to discuss the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's new Housing and Historic Preservation Policy Statement at a Los Angeles roundtable. During that event, we discussed how historic preservationists can play a bigger role in policy solutions to increase housing supply, including the conversion of commercial buildings to housing and ADU construction. Just a few months later, it is awesome to see the California Preservation Foundation and YIMBY Action working together with State Rep. Matt Haney to craft a new bill that would speed the conversion of commercial buildings to residential uses while protecting historic resources. Preservationists can use their creativity and flexibility to help adapt our historic places to meet modern needs. I look forward to seeing more preservationists participate in coalitions that push for policy innovation around tax incentives, zoning and building code reforms, and other procedural changes to expedite the projects we need - including office-to-housing conversions, enhancements to accessibility, and increased residential density in historic areas. A few links: The ACHP’s Housing and Historic Preservation Policy Statement: https://lnkd.in/eueW4b-D A recording of the ACHP’s Los Angeles Housing and Historic Preservation Roundtable: https://lnkd.in/edVPdA-P The new bill: https://lnkd.in/efi87eem

Writing in today's The Scotsman, my client Dougie Herd of Campion Homes discusses the importance of building accessible homes and the support required to drive ahead🏘🏗 "As housebuilders, we are ready to step up, but we need the right policies, funding and incentives in place to help us deliver homes that meet the needs of the more vulnerable residents in our communities. This is not just about meeting standards; it is about creating adaptable, future-proof homes designed with the changing needs of occupants in mind." Read more below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eyCBBHnV

Ensuring the preservation of affordable housing is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to playing our part. The Urban Institute underscores the importance of this mission, noting the important role of affordable housing in preventing displacement. This aligns with our dedication to revitalizing communities... Learn more about why it's critical to preserve existing affordable housing:  #AffordableHousingPreservation #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanInstituteInsights