Executive Summary
In an era of constricting state and federal resources, cities and municipalities have had to be creative in addressing the demand for affordable housing. Turning to their own local government policy tools, many cities and municipalities have used their zoning powers to promote the development of affordable housing within the private market. Through the creation of requirements and incentives, some cities and municipalities have been able to seize the opportunities presented by the booming private real estate market to create a supply of affordable housing within their communities. The resulting inclusionary housing programs have become models for other communities across the country.
Inclusionary housing programs promote the production of affordable housing by requiring residential developers to set aside a certain percentage of the housing units in a proposed development to be priced affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The purpose of inclusionary housing programs is to not only increase the supply of affordable housing in municipalities but to disperse the affordable units throughout the community. Inclusionary housing programs enable low-and moderate-income families to live in homes indistinguishable from – and adjacent to – market-rate housing, and to live in communities with access to employment and educational opportunities.
This workbook provides guidance for municipalities in creating policies for integrated affordable housing within their communities.
