Stuart L. Rabin’s Post

The cost transparency of affordable housing can be a key measure of multi family projects.

Planning terms that will end up in the government pattern book like 'manor house', 'shop top housing' and even 'terrace' have zero meaning in #property law. This means we are planning for homes that have no on-going legal life. Nobody owns a 'manor house'. They own a Torrens title freehold fee simple and it can be either: 1. Strata/community/stratum title or 2. Not strata/community/stratum title. They're the only options and the difference between them is profound. One has shared property, levies, by-laws, a body corporate and a truck load of legislative regulation. The other has none. Apartments have to be #strata and it can work well but terraces, manor houses and no doubt a few other creative housing concepts don't have to be. But they will inadvertently end up being strata unless everyone in the system understands how it works. NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Paul Scully NSW Public Works Investment NSW Infrastructure NSW #architecture #planning #housing #housingaffordability #housingcrisis #sydney https://lnkd.in/gucmEYKX

Why I voted "No" on the proposed Hull Street project. First, it is important to note that the only part of this project that requires a Special Use Permit (SUP) is the side setback. Demolition, height, use, etc. are all by right. Second, I am not anti density, anti housing, or anti affordable housing. I am pro all of those things - where they make sense. I am anti "concentration of poverty" and would LOVE to see inclusionary zoning incented. What I object to is the slow (and sometimes not so slow) erosion of the historic fabric and historic character of the neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and cultural landscapes that make up our city. It's not about one single building or a single district but the thousand paper cuts of the one building at a time demolition that ultimately leads to the loss of local identity, character, and flavor. I would love to discuss a moratorium on demolition of structures over 50 years old until the City's Cultural Resources Stewardship Plan is completed, before our character has been irrevocably changed. Thank you for your time, attention, and curiosity! (and no shade, ATX!) #planning #planningcommissioner #historicpreservation #culturalheritage #neighborhoods #housing #communitydevelopment #demolition

What if I told you a code modification could create a 6% increase in housing production? Let's talk about the efficiency ratio of multifamily buildings - the ratio of rentable space/all spaces. Buildings are expensive and creating a building that has more rentable square feet (i.e. housing units) compared to circulation, utility spaces, structure, etc. is more efficient. If a building isn't efficient enough, it doesn't pencil and doesn't get built. Some fixed costs - utility connections, sprinkler systems, elevators, street improvements, that gigantic PGE vault - can be spread out of the size and scale of project. This pushes development into maximizing sites into large scale development or smaller infill sites to not trigger some of the bigger ticket fixed costs. Medium sized projects are tough to pencil - yet another missing middle. In Portland and most of the United States the common design is a double loaded corridor, with shotgun apartments with windows on one exterior wall. It's efficient to build, predictable for comps, and we built the whole Slabtown neighborhood on this concept. Still the best building I worked on in this area clocking in at an efficiency rating of 78% and we squeezed every square inch into rentable. The single stair movement is a real option for Portland - already used in Europe and in the United States in New York, Honolulu, and Seattle. What if we raised the single exception from 3 stories to 5 stories - creating access nodes rather than double loaded corridors and hitting efficiency ratings around 84% +/-! It's all hands on deck for a housing shortage and homelessness crisis. Come on Portland, let's have a real conversation about this and talk about equivalent life safety, building diversity, and to start work on a pilot code guide.

We need to understand how words can be used to deceive. The term “renewing existing co-ops” is used here in the same way that the Broadway Plan said that existing rental apartments would be “renewed.” When that word “renewing” is converted into action, it means demoviction and demolition to clear the way for tower construction. It should not escape the public’s notice that Kirby-Yung’s motion would basically supersede planning for False Creek South which was to have been done by the planning department as directed by Council’s previous motions. (Kirby-Yung’s motion fails to make any reference to them.) Surprisingly, however, the motion actually seems to focus on redeveloping existing City-owned co-op sites, especially in False Creek South … instead of developing vacant City lands for new co-ops. https://lnkd.in/dKwbjpJB

The focus for communities like Santa Barbara needs to be on fastracking any residential projects. Making housing affordable does not have to include under market housing units in every development project. There would be a trickle down effect for all housing costs across all categories if more housing units come onto the market, regardless of price point. The longer cities like Santa Barbara block residential development, the more acute the housing shortages will become.

The new development at 1848 Vyse Avenue in the South Bronx marks a significant addition to the area, especially given the rarity of large residential projects in recent months. Spearheaded by Dunn Development, this 11-story building will cover approximately 90,000 square feet and feature 120 residential units, with a portion designated for low-income housing. The project, confirmed as a rental development, also includes a parking garage and highlights Dunn Development's commitment to affordable housing, evident in their past projects like the Bergen Saratoga Apartments and Frost Street Apartments. The development, located just below the Cross Bronx Expressway near East 176th Street, is near another Dunn project, Via Vyse, at 1812 Vyse Avenue—a supportive and affordable housing project itself. Despite the proximity and simultaneous purchase of the properties in 2016 for about $7.1 million, the connection between Via Vyse and the new development remains unspecified. This initiative emerges as one of the very few projects exceeding 100 units filed in the city lately, with only three others noted in March—all in Brooklyn. The recent state budget's provisions, including a new affordable housing tax break and incentives for office-to-residential conversions, may further encourage these developments. This project also raises questions about the need for a balance between rental opportunities and affordable homeownership particularly in the Bronx, which could provide long-term economic benefits and stability not typically afforded by rental solutions. #SouthBronxDevelopment #AffordableHousing #DunnDevelopment #NewYorkRealEstate #UrbanDevelopment https://lnkd.in/ejiRqe2T

🏡✨ Breaking Ground on Granny Homes in WA - A Game-Changer in Construction! ✨👷♂️ Did you know the landscape is changing for Granny Homes here in WA? Traditionally, the process of building a home or handling a subdivision involves navigating through the council approvals, a journey that can stretch over 3-6 months. 🏡 Introducing a Faster, Smoother Process for Tiny Homes! In WA, the government has slashed through the red tape specifically for building tiny homes. If you're eyeing a home under 70M2 on a 350m3 block, guess what? You can push it through without any consent! 🤯 Benefits 🕒 Save Time: This streamlined process is a game-changer, saving you months of waiting and headaches. 💰 Save Money: Skip the cumbersome approval costs and dive straight into creating your dream space. 🏡 Capital Appreciation: Consider the possibilities - clients opting for a second property instead of traditional extensions have witnessed remarkable capital appreciation! Oh, and as a bonus, we've compiled a guide on the 7 Benefits of Granny Flats! 📚 If you're curious, simply shoot us a DM or message, and we'll send it your way. Ready to explore new possibilities in home construction? 🌐 Let's chat and make your dream home a reality! #GrannyHomesWA #ConstructionInnovation #TinyHomeRevolution #BuildingWithoutHassle #PerwayProjects

What do you think of when you hear the words "Affordable Housing"? Do you picture a house that would look nice sitting next to YOUR house? Do you automatically assume that affordable housing is for people other than you? Perhaps you picture high density housing that is far away from where you would ever see it. Already, the term "affordable housing" has a negative connotation---we agree society needs it, but it can't be attractive or high quality. Why not? I read on a homebuilding website that they build DECENT, affordable homes. That is an interesting sales pitch. We build AMAZING affordable homes. That's our sales pitch. #beautifulaffordablehousing #smartbuilding #housingcrisis We are looking for developers to work with Zona Verde. Message here or through the website. www.zonaverdeinc.com Making affordable homes beautiful for everyone, anywhere.

This article has it all:factory built housing, national changes to building code, wood framing… a good read!