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 As outlined in a recent article from Urban Land Magazine, outdated zoning laws have significantly contributed to housing shortages by favoring low-density, single-family homes.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.