Should Raleigh Employ Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Initiatives?
Lately there has been some discussion about whether or not Raleigh should employ inclusionary zoning to increase the city’s supply of affordable housing. According to IndyWeek:
A new housing analysis published by the Wake County Human Services Department shows roughly 46,000 Raleigh households (35 percent) are paying too much for their housing, using the generally accepted federal standard that housing should cost no more than 30 percent of family income. The main reason: There’s not enough housing available at lower prices.
It’s interesting to note that when Kane Realty applied for rezoning of the area, the city did not require affordable-housing units in exchange for a rezoning that allowed higher density. I certainly don’t mean to suggest they were the only ones who weren’t required to have affordable housing, as I’m sure there are many other projects out there who are treated the same.
A task force appointed by the City Council has said that policy must change and recommends that Raleigh employ inclusionary zoning to require that large housing developments include some percentage of units affordable to low-income buyers and boost the supply of affordable housing in the city.
What do you think about this recommendation? Should any developments be exempt? If so, what are grounds for exemption?
I am sure that many of the 46k are forced into paying more than the 30% due to lack of less expensive housing, but I am curious as to how many of those 46,000 families are in that category due to choosing to live in a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath single family home in a new development vs. buying a less expensive older house or townhouse?
Not that there is anything wrong with that if that is their choice (and they can afford to make that choice), but the two sets of folks (can’t find cheaper vs. choose more expensive) are completely different issues.
I say yes we need to employ inclusionary zoning. But please talk about affordable housing in terms of middle class working citizens, too. It’s not just low income people who are having a hard time affording to live in the city. I make a decent income and live in an apartment in the North Hills area–a very convenient commute to my job that saves me a great deal in gas and helps me contribute less to the polllution here. But the townhomes and houses in the area (whether old or new) at $200,000 plus are unaffordable for me. I’ve noticed that builders aren’t even developing the type of housing I would like but instead tearing it down. Trying to find one level housing under 1200 sq ft with at least a bath and a 1/2, and a really small yard that isn’t a condo is tough. Condos with elevators–even tougher. I have two degrees and 20 years of working in “knowledge worker” industry. Affordable housing isn’t just for poor people. It’s for average middle class working people, too. I think lots of folks forget this. I am sadly coming to the realization that to buy a place, I will have to move out of this area and suck up a longer commute.
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