Resource

Many communities are facing the twin challenges of a lack of affordable housing (especially housing located near job centers) and the political challenge of building or creating more affordable housing, particularly in high-growth, dense and/or mixed-use neighborhoods.

One potential solution to these challenges is to look at the policy of inclusionary housing, also known as inclusionary zoning, which engages the private sector in helping to address this problem. Inclusionary housing is a policy that aims to increase the production of housing that is affordable to moderate and low-income households. It promotes the inclusion of affordable rental and/or ownership units in new residential developments (or rehabilitation projects, condominium conversions, etc).

The following toolkit was developed to provide you with easy to use information about the basics of inclusionary housing as well as the myths and facts surrounding it; a sample PowerPoint presentation you can use to introduce the concept to others; a case study on how inclusionary housing is being used successfully in one community; and model ordinance language you can use to help enact this policy in your community.