SMR Architects’ Post

Rivers & Roads publishes the latest white paper on scattered site housing, offering a solution to Maryland's affordable housing crisis, particularly in rural areas. Our paper addresses the pressing challenges faced by individuals and families across urban and rural Maryland due to escalating housing costs. Unlike traditional large housing projects, scattered site housing disperses publicly funded rental units within communities, promoting social cohesion and addressing local opposition and funding hurdles. "Our work underscores the need for mixed-income developments that seamlessly integrate into existing neighborhoods," says Rivers & Roads partner Ross Benincasa. "We're not just tackling the housing crisis; we're fostering cohesive, inclusive communities." Discover case studies from urban to rural settings, showcasing the adaptability and success of scattered site housing. Our white paper outlines actionable recommendations for Maryland, including dedicated funding streams and public-private partnerships. With nearly 30% of renters in Maryland spending over half their income on housing, our white paper's release couldn't be more timely. Let's work together to create a strategic approach to housing that supports economic stability and social cohesion across the state. We invite policymakers, developers, and community leaders to engage with the insights and recommendations in our white paper, as we strive to address the urgent need for more housing supply in our rural communities. #AffordableHousing #CommunityIntegration #ScatteredSiteHousing #MarylandHousingCrisis 🌟

The real estate industry has always been deeply involved in housing policy, Kingsella said. But what has changed, along with the concern over the housing crisis, is the type of advocacy these groups have engaged in. He has found that groups advocating on the local and state levels have “widened their aperture,” going beyond funding issues like Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and community development block grants. Instead, they are looking more at what he calls the “pro-housing agenda” of zoning reform and breaking down barriers to quickly building more homes. #missingmiddle #expandedhousingoptions #upzoning #housinginventory #housingsupply

In New Jersey, there's a growing movement towards building affordable housing solutions right in homeowners' backyards. This innovative approach involves constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as "granny flats" or "in-law apartments," to address the pressing need for more affordable housing options. Consider the story of Doreen Rearden from Montclair, whose family saw the benefits of multi-generational living but desired more privacy. Their solution? Building an ADU in their backyard. This not only offered independence for elderly family members but also allowed them to stay connected as a family unit. The cost of contruction, however, remains a hurdle for many families like the Reardens. To tackle this issue, Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a $10 million program aimed at incentivizing the creation of ADUs. This program provides financial assistance to homeowners and encourages towns to revise zoning regulations to accommodate these units. While New Jersey doesn't have a statewide law specifically permitting ADUs, several municipalities, including Princeton, Maplewood, and Montclair, have taken steps to facilitate their construction. These initiatives highlight a growing awareness of the need for diverse housing options to combat the state's housing crisis. ADUs offer more than just affordable housing; they promote multi-generational living, community integration, and aging in place. By utilizing underutilized space within existing neighborhoods, ADUs have the potential to alleviate housing pressures while fostering stronger, more resilient communities. As New Jersey continues to seek out fresh ideas to tackle its housing issues, ADUs stand out as a hopeful option. They offer potential not only for New Jerseyans, but for people nationwide, creating inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone has a place to call home. #AffordableHousing #ADUs #NewJersey #CommunityDevelopment #HousingCrisis #MultiGenerationalLiving #Innovation #Sustainability #AgingInPlace

In New Jersey, there's a growing movement towards building affordable housing solutions right in homeowners' backyards. This innovative approach involves constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as "granny flats" or "in-law apartments," to address the pressing need for more affordable housing options. Consider the story of Doreen Rearden from Montclair, whose family saw the benefits of multi-generational living but desired more privacy. Their solution? Building an ADU in their backyard. This not only offered independence for elderly family members but also allowed them to stay connected as a family unit. The cost of contruction, however, remains a hurdle for many families like the Reardens. To tackle this issue, Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a $10 million program aimed at incentivizing the creation of ADUs. This program provides financial assistance to homeowners and encourages towns to revise zoning regulations to accommodate these units. While New Jersey doesn't have a statewide law specifically permitting ADUs, several municipalities, including Princeton, Maplewood, and Montclair, have taken steps to facilitate their construction. These initiatives highlight a growing awareness of the need for diverse housing options to combat the state's housing crisis. ADUs offer more than just affordable housing; they promote multi-generational living, community integration, and aging in place. By utilizing underutilized space within existing neighborhoods, ADUs have the potential to alleviate housing pressures while fostering stronger, more resilient communities. As New Jersey continues to seek out fresh ideas to tackle its housing issues, ADUs stand out as a hopeful option. They offer potential not only for New Jerseyans, but for people nationwide, creating inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone has a place to call home. #AffordableHousing #ADUs #NewJersey #CommunityDevelopment #HousingCrisis #MultiGenerationalLiving #Innovation #Sustainability #AgingInPlace

In New Jersey, there's a growing movement towards building affordable housing solutions right in homeowners' backyards. This innovative approach involves constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as "granny flats" or "in-law apartments," to address the pressing need for more affordable housing options. Consider the story of Doreen Rearden from Montclair, whose family saw the benefits of multi-generational living but desired more privacy. Their solution? Building an ADU in their backyard. This not only offered independence for elderly family members but also allowed them to stay connected as a family unit. The cost of contruction, however, remains a hurdle for many families like the Reardens. To tackle this issue, Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a $10 million program aimed at incentivizing the creation of ADUs. This program provides financial assistance to homeowners and encourages towns to revise zoning regulations to accommodate these units. While New Jersey doesn't have a statewide law specifically permitting ADUs, several municipalities, including Princeton, Maplewood, and Montclair, have taken steps to facilitate their construction. These initiatives highlight a growing awareness of the need for diverse housing options to combat the state's housing crisis. ADUs offer more than just affordable housing; they promote multi-generational living, community integration, and aging in place. By utilizing underutilized space within existing neighborhoods, ADUs have the potential to alleviate housing pressures while fostering stronger, more resilient communities. As New Jersey continues to seek out fresh ideas to tackle its housing issues, ADUs stand out as a hopeful option. They offer potential not only for New Jerseyans, but for people nationwide, creating inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone has a place to call home. #AffordableHousing #ADUs #NewJersey #CommunityDevelopment #HousingCrisis #MultiGenerationalLiving #Innovation #Sustainability #AgingInPlace

In New Jersey, there's a growing movement towards building affordable housing solutions right in homeowners' backyards. This innovative approach involves constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as "granny flats" or "in-law apartments," to address the pressing need for more affordable housing options. Consider the story of Doreen Rearden from Montclair, whose family saw the benefits of multi-generational living but desired more privacy. Their solution? Building an ADU in their backyard. This not only offered independence for elderly family members but also allowed them to stay connected as a family unit. The cost of contruction, however, remains a hurdle for many families like the Reardens. To tackle this issue, Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a $10 million program aimed at incentivizing the creation of ADUs. This program provides financial assistance to homeowners and encourages towns to revise zoning regulations to accommodate these units. While New Jersey doesn't have a statewide law specifically permitting ADUs, several municipalities, including Princeton, Maplewood, and Montclair, have taken steps to facilitate their construction. These initiatives highlight a growing awareness of the need for diverse housing options to combat the state's housing crisis. ADUs offer more than just affordable housing; they promote multi-generational living, community integration, and aging in place. By utilizing underutilized space within existing neighborhoods, ADUs have the potential to alleviate housing pressures while fostering stronger, more resilient communities. As New Jersey continues to seek out fresh ideas to tackle its housing issues, ADUs stand out as a hopeful option. They offer potential not only for New Jerseyans, but for people nationwide, creating inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone has a place to call home. #AffordableHousing #ADUs #NewJersey #CommunityDevelopment #HousingCrisis #MultiGenerationalLiving #Innovation #Sustainability #AgingInPlace

Before delving into the legal aspects, it's important to understand the definition of an ADU in California. As per the California Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) ADU Handbook, an Accessory Dwelling Unit is a residential unit offering complete, self-contained living facilities for one or more individuals...

40 years ago, as a Placemaker, I demonstrated how "new and historical" can blend seamlessly into major urban development. Quality Residential Grade mid-rise apartments are "cheek by jowl" with St John's Church in Halifax Street, Adelaide, a beautiful historic Church. Through one of my past significant projects in Adelaide, we showed how quality mid-rise apartments can incorporate historical overlays and even allocate 30% for affordable housing without any mandatory requirements through my initiative and sense of "social responsibility" on previously owned state Govt vacant land. Now, Church Groups have an essential role in the NSW Government's proposals for higher-density housing around Sydney's railway stations. We believe "Co-Living" can create inclusive, harmonious communities, providing quality mid-rise apartments for Baby Boomers looking to downsize from their large, single detached-family homes. With over 2 million Baby Boomers in Metropolitan Sydney, there's a need for more options that allow them to stay in the communities they love. Our approach can be a successful alternative to non-inclusive Retirement Villages. #placemaking #historicpreservation #historicaloverlays #Sydney #coliving

"By embracing rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, promoting #zoning modifications, leveraging historic tax credits, supporting ADUs, and fostering community land trusts, preservationists can play a crucial role in addressing the affordable housing crisis." Read more in Preservation Maryland's recent blog on how #preservationists and affordable #housing advocates can work together to create vibrant, inclusive, and economically diverse communities. 

The City of Gainesville, Georgia was proud to partake in Tuesday’s Harrison Village groundbreaking ceremony hosted by the Gainesville Housing Authority and Paces Preservation Partners LLC. Attendees heard from community leaders, including our very own Mayor Sam Couvillon, and those integral to the project prior to breaking ground on Harrison Village phase No. 1. Upon completion, Harrison Village will serve as an affordable rental housing community for families. This preservation project, in partnership with Paces Preservation Partners, will boast 120 new affordable apartments priced for renters earning under 80% of the area’s median income. 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA) is an advocate and provider for affordable housing for Gainesville families. Working with the City of Gainesville, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other organizations, GHA provides life resources and opportunities not only to residents, but to the entire community. 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗟𝗖 Paces Preservation Partners LLC is a strategic partnership created by The Paces Foundation and Soho Housing Partners LLC. Combining Paces' industry leading affordable housing development and preservation services with Soho's exceptional capabilities structuring complex financial solutions make quality investments for workforce housing communities possible. With a growing affordable housing crisis brewing, state and local authorities recognize the need for creative and sustainable solutions to meet their communities' workforce housing needs. The Paces-Soho partnership brings together significant skills in funding strategies, public procurement, urban revitalization, affordable housing development, services and management to help housing authorities meet their portfolio revitalization goals. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/d4wM2RV