Zoning Reforms to Mitigate America’s Affordable Housing Crisis
Zoning Reforms to Mitigate America’s Affordable Housing Crisis
The affordable housing crisis in the United States has reached a critical point, prompting cities to consider zoning reforms as a potential solution. As outlined in a recent article from Urban Land Magazine, outdated zoning laws have significantly contributed to housing shortages by favoring low-density, single-family homes. Reforming these laws could act as a catalyst for increasing housing supply.
According to M. Nolan Gray, a Los Angeles-based city planner and author of Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It, the severity of the crisis has made it a top priority for politicians. Gray notes that numerous cities have already scrapped exclusionary single-family home zoning and parking requirements, a move that was previously unimaginable.
David Garcia, policy director for the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, emphasizes that many jurisdictions are hesitant to embrace zoning reform due to potential backlash. However, the concept of allowing multiple units on single-family parcels is gaining traction.
While many cities have recently initiated zoning changes, their impacts are just beginning to materialize. Toccarra Nicole Thomas, director of land use and development at Smart Growth America, argues that zoning reform must be comprehensive to effectively address the affordable housing shortage. Piecemeal reforms, such as allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or “missing middle” housing, may be easier to achieve but are unlikely to be as effective.
Challenges and Options
Zoning reform is not without its challenges. Political hurdles, including NIMBYism and bureaucratic barriers, are significant obstacles. Reform options include allowing ‘by right’ buildings to streamline permitting, focusing on revitalizing commercial corridors, and reducing parking minimums.
For instance, Oakland, California, revitalized its Auto Row, a languishing neighborhood, by adding about 1,000 housing units through comprehensive planning. This success story illustrates the potential of zoning reform to increase housing supply.
- Rezone to encourage missing middle housing: This approach allows for greater density without altering a community’s character.
- Repurpose underused land: Former industrial areas, like D.C.’s Navy Yard, have been successfully rezoned for mixed uses, including residential.
- Reduce parking minimums: Reducing these requirements can lower developer costs and increase density.
- Streamline the permitting process: Making the process more predictable and financially feasible can significantly impact affordable housing projects.
Gray warns that poorly executed zoning reform could erode public trust. A balanced approach, involving both zoning reform and subsidies, is essential to address the crisis effectively.
Developers play a crucial role in this process. Engaging with community and city leaders early on can build trust and streamline reform efforts. As Garcia suggests, developers should present data demonstrating how new housing can enhance existing property values.
To explore zoning reform further, you can access the report Reshaping the City: Zoning for a More Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainable Future and listen to the webinar discussion featuring insights from Nolan Gray and Toccarra Nicole Thomas.
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Decode Zillow’s Quarterly Survey on Homeowners Selling: Key Takeaways
Zillow’s Quarterly Survey on Homeowners Selling: Unveiling Crucial Market Trends
Are you aware of how mortgage rates can impact your real estate investment decisions? Understanding these dynamics is key to securing a prosperous future in the real estate sector. This is where our online courses at Cameron Academy step in, arming you with the knowledge you need to navigate this complex landscape effectively. Today, we take a deep dive into insights from Zillow’s Quarterly Survey, revealing that homeowners are twice as likely to sell if interest rates rise above 5%. This discovery not only sheds light on home selling patterns in relation to interest rates, but also offers a unique perspective on market trends that could dramatically impact your investment choices. The findings offer an indispensable guide for both seasoned professionals and newcomers in the field of real estate. There’s a recognized shortage of homes for sale nowadays, a trend that can be partially attributed to the chronic under-building post the housing crash. On top of this, current higher mortgage rates, just under 7% as per Freddie Mac, are influencing homeowners’ selling decisions. With a key driving force behind this shortage being the record-low interest rates that homeowners are hesitant to let go, it’s time to explore the effect of interest rates on home selling. Education is crucial in not only understanding these trends but also leveraging them to your advantage. So, whether you are a real estate investor, homeowner, or a professional aiming to expand your knowledge about the real estate market, you are at the right place. Join Cameron Academy’s online course today to uncover the secrets behind smart real estate investing. Read on to dissect key insights and make informed decisions, backed by expertise unleashed on Cameron Academy, an engaging platform for professionals. We’re here to help you understand – one course, one exam at a time!Key Facts and Points: Zillow’s Quarterly Survey on Homeowners Selling
Before we delve deeper, let’s summarize some crucial findings from Zillow’s recent survey. These insights underpin the impact of interest rates on property owners’ decision making, shaping the landscape of the real estate sector:- Homeowners with rates under 5% are half as likely to consider selling their homes in the next few years.
- Nearly 40% of homeowners with rates over 5% reveal plans to sell soon.
- Only 23% of all homeowners are considering selling their homes within the next three years.