Urban and Housing

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing in Chicago

By: George Krupkin

Published: Spring 2024

Abstract: The escalating challenge of finding affordable housing in Chicago is a pressing issue made worse by a long history of poor policy decisions and recent economic shifts. Chicago now faces an extreme lack of affordable housing options that continues to harm the Black and brown working class at disproportionate rates. This policy brief explores the problem’s depth, history, current policy context, and proposes alternative policy options to address the critical shortage of affordable housing.

 

 

Zoning

Zoning Reform 

By: Michael Johns and Kate McElroy

Published: Fall 2024

Abstract: This policy memo examines zoning as a tool for addressing housing affordability and urban development challenges, with a focus on Alamance County, North Carolina. Zoning regulations classify land for residential, commercial, or industrial use, enabling local governments to guide growth and development. The effects of zoning vary significantly based on how it is implemented, influencing property values, housing costs, and patterns of urban expansion. Alamance County, with a high percentage of single-family homes, exemplifies broader trends of limited multifamily housing options, contributing to rising costs and reduced availability of affordable homes.Innovative zoning strategies such as mixed-use zoning, high-density housing, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer potential solutions. These approaches can help reduce suburban sprawl, improve access to infrastructure, and expand the range of housing types available. Research highlights that restrictive zoning often increases housing costs by limiting supply, disproportionately affecting low-income households. High-density zoning, while promising, does not always achieve affordability goals.The challenges associated with zoning require many approaches that account for local conditions. Smart growth principles, which advocate for mixed land use and compact development, provide a framework for addressing housing insecurity. By implementing diverse zoning strategies and promoting sustainable community design, municipalities can create equitable solutions to housing and development issues.