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Tools and Resources
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Introduction
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Tools
Resources
Lectures
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Gallery of High Quality Affordable
Housing Special Characteristics Index
| Click on any project name to go to a
more detailed description of the development in the Gallery.
Affordable housing in affluent communities has become
a solution when there is: a. strong inclusionary zoning
or fair-share policies required by the jurisdiction; b.
a recognition that the local workforce, which serves the affluent,
is part of the community and needs reasonably priced housing.
Courtyard housing arranges housing around a common
court which provides a play area for children and a way to
enter dwelling units and facilities:
Families, seniors, and/or singles are sometimes combined
in developments when the size of the development, the funding,
and the demand allows.
Farmworker housing addresses the needs of a specific
category of rural familis upon whom the agricultural economy
depends. In many locales, state and federal funding programs
assist developers in housing these workers.
For-profit developers are sometimes relied upon to develop
affordable housing when: a. there are no local non-profits;
b. they can bring a market awareness that generates a
good development; c. the municipality will receive long-term
affordability as a condition of providing assistance.
Historic structures rehabilitation restores valuable
resources to good use. Although design guidelines and code requirements
often increase costs, historic building codes are often flexible,
and historic tax credits may improve financing prospects.
Historic district new construction can significantly
affect design and construction costs because of their design
guidelines. However, compatibility with surrounding buildings
may increase public acceptance and enhance the value of the
historic district.
Homeownership developments are built for those families
who can qualify for loans and have some resources for downpayments.
In most first-time homebuyer programs using government funds,
the homeowner receives only limited appreciation in value of
the home, and resale is restricted to families with low to moderate
incomes.
Housing for homeless families has become critical in
light of the increasing number of families and children on the
streets. These developments often are transitional and include
extensive on-site social services to assist families in getting
back on their feet.
Infill housing fills vacant lots and repairs the torn
fabric of the streetscape.
Mixed-income housing—1/3 low-income, 1/3 moderate-income,
1/3 market-rate—can be an effective development approach
when: a. inclusionary zoning requires it; b. there
are limited public funds, which requires that surplus funds
from market-rate units can create an additional subsidy for
low-income units; c. income diversity is required for
community acceptance.
Mixed-use developments include retail, commercial, or
community spaces at the street level:
Mutual housing associations and coops provide: a.
resident equity their homes; b. a larger resident responsibility
in management; c. access to subsidies not available for
homeownership; d. greater community acceptance than rental
housing.
New district development utilizes larger scale planning
and urban design, and can help revitalize a large area.
Partnerships between non-profit and for-profit developers
and between grass-roots sponsors and experienced non-profits
can be an effective approach when: a. the larger developer
brings experience and financing capability; b. the smaller
developer brings access to public funds, community values, and
political acceptance; c. a combination of market-rate
and subsidized housing is desired.
Public housing authorities (PHAs) have played a key role
in developing well-designed affordable housing when: a.
local non-profits lack capacity; b. the PHA has a positive
relationship with the community.
Scattered-site developments can be an effective approach
to development when: a. there are many smaller vacant
lots in a neighborhood; b. neighborhood acceptance of
larger developments is impossible; c. local agencies
can help acquire and assemble parcels at lower cost.
Tax credits are an important source of equity from the
federal government for building low-income rental developments.
Tax credits are awarded to developments by state allocation
boards on a competitive basis, and are then sold to corporations
or individuals seeking to shelter their high incomes from taxes.
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