development site advisors®’s Post

A new tool from the Urban Institute and Housing Matters explores how school officials and #housing developers can partner to desegregate communities. As municipalities across the nation grow and shift, policy decisions around both housing and #education will affect whether existing segregation becomes further entrenched. Yet these decisions are often made in silos, with housing stakeholders and education stakeholders rarely discussing local issues together. What if instead of accepting neighborhood segregation as given, school officials could work with housing developers and housing-focused organizations to address segregated communities? Urban Institute work explores this question by giving education and housing stakeholders the tools to work together within their local contexts. Explore the tool today. https://urbn.is/3UwYmZc

To help create more inclusive communities, Karp Strategies supported The Century Foundation in identifying proactive ways to talk to voters across New York State about the intricate connections between public education,housing policy and exclusionary zoning. Fear of school overcrowding and the competition for resources were found to be the leading point in opposition to housing reform. Read more insights by Halley Potter  & Alex Edwards from The Century Foundation, elucidating ties between zoning & school quality: https://lnkd.in/efbNHrZv #CommunityDevelopment #EducationEquity #ExclusionaryZoning #FairHousing #HousingReform #Housing #ResearchInsights #UrbanEquity #ZoningPolicy

Thank you to the Phoenix Business Journal for publishing my article about how to assess the pros and cons of Arizona's new housing bill HB 2721. HB 2721 represents a proactive legislative effort to address the middle housing shortage and promote housing affordability and diversity. While it offers several potential benefits, including housing diversity, increased supply, urban revitalization, zoning reform and affordable housing access, it also raises concerns regarding neighborhood character, infrastructure impacts, parking and traffic, and community resistance. Read more: #HB2721 #landuselaw #WitheyMorrisBaugh

Exciting news! Karp Strategies collaborated on a new report from The Century Foundation. The report delves into the intricate link between education and housing in New York State. Karp Strategies, in partnership with The Century Foundation, researched how the public responds to language around zoning, its impact on K–12 education, and what messaging would successfully persuade decision-makers and voters to reform damaging and exclusionary zoning practices, specifically in New York. Click below to read the report and find out about our finding: https://lnkd.in/eyb3GHmV #TheCenturyFoundation #KarpStrategies #Housing #urbanplanning #regionalplanning

The City of Aurora has been repurposing a number of long vacant buildings as affordable workforce housing. Yesterday the City celebrated the first of two school adaptive reuse projects by our firm Cordogan Clark. The formerly vacant Todd Elementary School is part of the city of Aurora's plan to make sure any available space is being used to give back to the community, in this case, affordable housing. "Administration is committed to providing hundreds of new housing options across the city by redeveloping underutilized and formerly vacant buildings," Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said. Some of those buildings have been vacant for over 70 years. But, the one on Oak Avenue has more than just apartments, it also has a health care clinic for uninsured or underinsured families. "We saw during COVID is how important housing and health intersect. So, this is definitely an amazing effort to be able to provide both of those in one spot," said Shelly Tucciarelli, Visionary Ventures' executive director. Tucciarelli is executive director of the organization behind the project. She said housing costs have increased 30% over the last three years. It's why these apartments are for families making between $18,000 and $63,000 a year. "You have to have stability in order to get a job, and, in order to get a job, you need housing. So they all work together," Tucciarelli said. "There's people out here that will help you," Washington said. "Get up, get out here." #cityofaurora #auroraillinois #adaptivereuse #workforcehousing #foxvalleyapartments #affordablehousing #blueprintforbetter #visionaryventures #ihda #housing #sustainabledevelopment #mcshaneconstruction #cordoganclark

Inspiring Affordable Housing Solutions for New Jersey: Learning from NYC Taking cues from recent zoning changes proposed in New York City by mayor ERIC ADAMS, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy can proactively address its housing challenges statewide. By embracing flexible zoning regulations and incentivizing developers, we can create more affordable housing options statewide. Let’s explore how New Jersey can draw inspiration from NYC’s approach to spur housing development. 1. Addressing Concerns: Instead of letting concerns about school systems hinder housing development, New Jersey should prioritize the societal benefits of diverse housing options. 2. Incentivizing Developers: Offering incentives like tax breaks and streamlined processes can attract developers to invest in affordable housing projects. 3. Flexibility in Zoning: Adopting form-based codes and mixed-use zoning districts can promote compact, walkable communities with diverse housing options. 4. Collaborative Approach: Engaging stakeholders, including policymakers and residents, fosters dialogue and ensures development decisions reflect local needs. By learning from NYC’s example recently reported in the Commercial Observer New Jersey can create a more inclusive and equitable housing market. Let’s work together to unlock the potential for affordable housing statewide. #AffordableHousing #ZoningFlexibility #CommunityDevelopment #NewJersey #multifamily #HousingForAll #development State of New Jersey New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) #BuilderToBroker

Check out or own Adam Baugh's Phoenix Business Journal article about how to assess the pros and cons of Arizona's new housing bill HB 2721. The bill represents a proactive legislative effort to address the middle housing shortage and promote housing affordability and diversity. While it offers several potential benefits, including housing diversity, increased supply, urban revitalization, zoning reform and affordable housing access, it also raises concerns regarding neighborhood character, infrastructure impacts, parking and traffic, and community resistance. #HB2721 #landuselaw #WitheyMorrisBaugh

🏙️ Zoning Out: Zoning and Its Impact on Housing 🏡 Curious about how zoning policies shape the housing crisis and impact urban development? Join us for a timely virtual forum hosted by Narvarte Development and 1000 Friends of Wisconsin that will explore the history of zoning and its far-reaching effects on housing affordability and equity. 📅 Date: September 18, 2024 🕒 Time: Doors & light breakfast 8:30am, program 9-11am 💻 Location: ThriveOn King building, 2153 N. Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive Featuring a presentation from UWM's School of Architecture & Urban Planning's Dr. Kirk Harris on the origins and evolution of zoning, followed by a community conversation with a diverse panel of stakeholders. We will also discuss Growing MKE, a citywide planning effort that is setting a framework for housing growth and choice in Milwaukee. 🔑 Key Topics: The role of zoning in housing inequities. How current zoning impacts development and affordability. Solutions like Growing MKE to foster inclusive growth. Whether you’re a developer, urban planner, policymaker, or community advocate, this event will provide valuable insights and an opportunity to engage in the conversation about building more livable, equitable communities. 🎟️ Reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/gbSYWUrz Let’s come together to rethink zoning and pave the way for a more inclusive future! #UrbanDevelopment #ZoningReform #HousingEquity #CommunityPlanning #GrowingMKE #NarvarteDevelopment

Investing in affordable housing, education, public safety, and commercial growth while respecting community needs ensures a holistic and sustainable transformation. Professor Towns discusses how we can build a future that uplifts without displacement. #CommunityRevitalization #SustainableChange https://lnkd.in/eeEt2_9T

I had the honor of moderating an insightful panel today at the Innovations in Manufactured Homes (I'M HOME) Conference titled "Zoning Obstacles and Opportunities." Our excellent panelists—David A. Garcia, National Policy Director at Up for Growth; Grant Beck, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Next Step Network; and Sarah Marchant, COO and SVP of the ROC-NH Program at the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund—shared invaluable insights into the complexities of zoning for manufactured housing. Key takeaways include: Outdated Zoning Regulations: In many places, zoning restrictions still prohibit new manufactured home (MH) developments, creating legal barriers and affordability challenges. Updating zoning policies is essential to keeping pace with the needs of communities and advancing affordable housing solutions. Storytelling as Advocacy: As highlighted by the panelists, storytelling plays a crucial role in shifting the narrative around MH. Rather than focusing solely on numbers and policies, stories of real people and communities positively impacted by MH can drive policy change. Federal and State Reforms: There is momentum at the federal level to reform zoning, but local and state efforts remain critical to making sure these changes are implemented on the ground. The intersection of federal incentives and local action is key to fostering equitable housing solutions. Climate Resilience and Zoning: The discussion explored how zoning intersects with climate resilience. By integrating climate-conscious zoning policies, communities can better prepare for future climate-related challenges, while also providing affordable, sustainable housing options through MH. Immediate Solutions: States like Maryland and Virginia are making strides with equitable zoning policies for MH, demonstrating how coalitions of advocates can make a significant impact in advancing affordable housing. A big thank you to David, Grant, and Sarah for their expertise and for contributing to such an important discussion on the future of MH and affordable housing solutions.  It is inspiring to be surrounded by practitioners, policymakers and advocates who are continuing to champion the zoning reforms needed to meet today’s housing challenges and foster climate resilience. #ManufacturedHousing #IMHOME