From Red Tape to Real Homes: Practical Reforms Making Cities More Affordable

Urban centers across the United States face a growing shortage of affordable housing, driven by rising rents, limited supply, and economic disparities. Addressing this challenge requires a combination of policy reforms, community initiatives, and innovative housing strategies to ensure all residents have access to safe and affordable homes.

1. Legalizing Diverse Housing Types

Many cities have historically restricted housing development to single-family homes, limiting affordability. Recent reforms include:

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Allowing small, independent units on existing properties increases housing supply and provides homeowners with rental income. Cities like Seattle and Washington, D.C., have relaxed zoning laws to permit more ADUs¹.

• Multi-Family Housing: Permitting duplexes, triplexes, and apartment buildings increases density and affordability. Minneapolis has demonstrated success by eliminating restrictive single-family zoning, allowing more inclusive housing options¹.

2. Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary zoning requires developers to include affordable units in new housing projects. For example, Albany, New York, mandates that 10–13% of units in large developments remain affordable, helping low- and moderate-income residents stay in their communities². This approach balances growth with accessibility.

3. Leveraging Public Land and Funding

Publicly owned land can be used for affordable housing projects to reduce costs:

• Cities sell or lease public land at reduced rates in exchange for commitments to build affordable units³.

• Funding from local and federal programs supports development and maintenance of affordable housing. Austin, Texas, recently approved $46 million for projects targeting families earning 30–60% of median income³.

4. Transit-Oriented and Community-Based Development

Placing affordable housing near public transit reduces commuting costs and increases access to employment opportunities. Transit-oriented development ensures equitable access and sustainable growth⁴. Additionally, community-led models, like limited-equity cooperatives and community land trusts, allow residents to retain control over housing and preserve long-term affordability⁴.

5. Expanding Housing Choice Vouchers

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) enable low-income families to rent in the private market, providing flexibility and reducing concentrated poverty. Ensuring broad access to these vouchers is a key strategy for urban affordability⁵.

Next Steps:

Expanding affordable housing in urban areas requires a multifaceted approach: reforming zoning, implementing inclusionary policies, leveraging public land and funding, supporting transit-oriented and community-based development, and increasing rental assistance. By adopting these strategies, cities can build inclusive, equitable communities where all residents have access to safe and affordable homes.

References

1. Urban Institute. Ten Actions Cities Can Take to Improve Housing Affordability. 2022. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/10-actions-to-housing-affordability

2. Times Union. “Inclusionary Zoning Helps Albany Residents Stay Affordably Housed.” 2023. https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/inclusionary-zoning-ensure-albany-s-rising-tide-21078667.php

3. Urban Institute. Five Practices for Expanding Housing Production for Households with Very Low Incomes. 2023. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/five-practices-expanding-housing-production-households-very-low-incomes

4. Smart Growth America. Building Affordable Housing Around Transit. 2023. https://smartgrowthamerica.org/building-affordable-housing-around-transit-plan-ahead-spread

5. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Expanding Rental Assistance to Address the Affordable Housing Crisis. 2022. https://www.cbpp.org/research/housing/addressing-the-affordable-housing-crisis-requires-expanding-rental-assistance-and