Jonathan Concidine’s Post

This isn’t just a Greater Boston problem but it certainly is a problem in Greater Boston. For me, I think there’s a compelling case to be made that if suburbanites want their towns to “feel” the way they have for generations, they will have to accept that they may not “look” the same as they have: infill development, smaller setbacks, strategic clusters of rental units, etc. When I refer to “feel,” I mean that there’s a common phenomenon happening where suburbanites wake up one day and realize they couldn’t afford to move into their beloved town at this point - the present moment. Everyone coming in behind them makes more money, has more education, and possesses more overall wealth than they do or did when they first moved in - they have to because you can’t buy into suburbs now without those criteria. So unless we want to live in enclaves that only the increasingly wealthy can afford - which most of us don’t - we need to do the work that will allow people with an array of backgrounds and income levels to move in. #housingpolicy #housing #affordability #costofliving

Outdated zoning systems and the associated metrics often have negative connotations that hinder the implementation of modern housing solutions. Don't say the D word! In his keynote for the Groundwork NWA Annual Housing Summit in Arkansas, Daniel Parolek highlighted how shifting housing priorities also call for rethinking the discussions around housing and zoning reform, the need for diverse housing choices in the current market, and tools that can help implement Missing Middle Housing solutions in both the private and public sectors. Key Insights: - Using real-life stories helps people understand the significance of missing middle housing and frame it as a real solution. - Feasibility, attainability, and livability are essential factors in enabling missing middle housing options. - Comprehensive approaches such as Missing Middle Scans and Deep Dives™ and the Missing Middle Zoning Toolkit assist cities and developers in navigating the implementation of these housing solutions. - Collaboration among developers, policymakers, and advocacy groups is essential for addressing the housing crisis. #Density #ZoningReform https://lnkd.in/ewukNhMT

We at CWA and CES understand how important collaboration is when attempting to address and solve complicated problems. It's for that reason that we'd like to share the Michigan Association of Planning's (MAP) new initiative, "Stories and Studies." This very useful project is being curated from a 2023 survey where "(MAP) members and Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) were queried in order to find out whether and how the tools in the (Zoning Reform Toolkit: 15 Tools to Expand Housing Choice + Supply Toolkit) are helping to expand housing choice and supply in Michigan communities." Follow this link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gk6zQtV7 #planning #michigan #housing #zoning #redevelopment #community #supply #toolkit

The lack of housing attainable for moderate income families has reached crisis proportions across the United States. Many of these households are headed by working professionals that serve some of the most basic needs within our communities: teachers that educate our children, police and fire fighters that protect and keep us safe and public servants in our cities, counties and states that enable government operations. The shortage of workforce housing options affordable to these families is sometimes called the "missing middle." To address this shortfall, we need housing policies that encourage more (i) multi-unit structures (think duplexes, triplexes and quads) which cost less per unit to develop; (ii) cottage homes and auxiliary development units for independent adults and seniors which do not use as much land per unit; (iii) and updated zoning ordinances and development standards which incentivize higher density rather than penalize it. We should also promote housing policies that encourage local governments to leverage their land holdings by partnering with developers -- especially small scale developers -- to build workforce housing. I support Mayor Andre Dickens' mission to make the City of Atlanta a "City of Opportunity for All" by developing creative financing solutions to help meet his goal to develop or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030. #atlanta #missingmiddle #workforcehousing #teachers #police #firefighters #publicservants

🚨 Addressing Barriers to Affordable Housing Production 🚨 Local zoning laws and land use regulations often hinder the development of affordable housing, particularly in minority neighborhoods, exacerbating housing shortages. Here's why this is a critical issue and what we can do about it: Restrictive Zoning Laws: These laws often prevent the construction of multi-family and affordable housing units, limiting options for low- and moderate-income families. Disproportionate Impact: Minority communities face significant challenges due to these barriers, leading to persistent housing inequalities and shortages. Need for Policy Reform: Advocating for changes in zoning and land use policies is crucial to foster the development of affordable housing and ensure equitable access. Action Steps: Support Inclusive Policies: Encourage local governments to adopt zoning laws that promote diverse and affordable housing options. Raise Awareness: Educate your community about the impact of restrictive zoning on housing affordability. Get Involved: Join local housing advocacy groups and participate in public hearings to voice support for affordable housing projects. Together, we can break down these barriers and create vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone has a place to call home. 🏠✨ Jennifer Castenson Joe Ventrone Nathaniel Crawford #AffordableHousing #ZoningReform #CommunityImpact #HousingEquity #PolicyChange #UrbanDevelopment #LinkedInCommunity #Keepingly

Important to reiterate this part of his post: "An under-appreciated part of this success: the 2016 Zoning Update that made it so much easier to expand housing choices, in large part through significant reductions (or in Downtown, elimination) of parking requirements." You can either build housing for cars or housing for people. You can't efficiently or affordably accomplish both.

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

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

Inclusionary zoning policies create deed-restricted affordable housing by requiring or encouraging developers to include a specified share of below-market units as part of market-rate rental or homeowner developments. Although some evidence seems to suggest inclusionary zoning policies drive up housing costs, other studies demonstrate that, if used thoughtfully and adjusted for local conditions, they can produce urgently needed low-cost housing. New York State has no statute limiting exclusionary zoning. This leads to less affordable housing, heightened income and racial inequalities, a less productive economy as fewer people can move to New York City and its suburbs. Most of New York’s peer states have stepped in to promote inclusive housing development. Their experiences can inform the choices of New York policymakers as they seek to solve New York’s housing crisis. Read @NYU Furman Center's brief based on the paper Ending Exclusionary Zoning in New York City’s Suburbs from University of Michigan Law School Assistant Professor and former @NYU Furman Center's Noah Kazis about options for reform: https://buff.ly/3K0cRz3

A recent analysis highlights the growing housing affordability issue for teachers, who can now afford just 14% of homes near their schools, a sharp decline from 39% in 2019. While rental affordability has seen slight improvements, these statistics underscore the need to address housing affordability for those who play a vital role in our communities, as many educators still face challenges in securing housing within their communities. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02LKlzK0 #SimplyHomes #AffordableHousing #Proptech #Pittsburgh #Cleveland #Indianapolis