Leaders in Affordable Housing Strategies plz!
June 30, 2010 10:13 AM Subscribe
Looking for amazing municipal Affordable Housing Strategies?
I'm familiar with the Toronto ones, but am seeking others worldwide, whether Canada, US or overseas.
They could be as varied as zoning regulations, architectural design and particular buildings, subsidies towards rent/downpayments....
But in short, seeking the most innovative, strategic and proven-successful policies worldwide. Thank you!
I'm familiar with the Toronto ones, but am seeking others worldwide, whether Canada, US or overseas.
They could be as varied as zoning regulations, architectural design and particular buildings, subsidies towards rent/downpayments....
But in short, seeking the most innovative, strategic and proven-successful policies worldwide. Thank you!
Oh and check out the Paducah Artist Relocation Program which, as the name suggests, targets artists, but also doubles as a neighborhood revitalization program.
This free report from the Affordable Housing Institute profiles about 20 organizations in the US and UK working on affordable housing issues.
posted by carmicha at 10:36 AM on June 30, 2010
This free report from the Affordable Housing Institute profiles about 20 organizations in the US and UK working on affordable housing issues.
posted by carmicha at 10:36 AM on June 30, 2010
It's still early days for this, so I don't know how well it will end up working, but the Vacant Upper Floors Loan Fund in Pittsburgh is a pretty cool idea (basically it provides gap financing for building owners to turn Pittsburgh's numerous underused upper floors of downtown buildings into residential units).
posted by kataclysm at 10:51 AM on June 30, 2010
posted by kataclysm at 10:51 AM on June 30, 2010
There is, of course, Habitat for Humanity. This actually seems to work well for not just affordable housing but actually improving a families economic prosepects long term. Not too sure about the mans politics, but he did some real good with this program.
I work as a civil engineer in mostly land development and the most effective strategy I have seen for this is infill projects in marginal neighborhoods (which is exaclty where habitat for humanity does most of its homes). Government mandated affordable housing usually just ends up as regular price housing after the first people buy it or if it is price controlled as substandard or even slum housing. Anything that engages the recipient with a sense of ownership and lasting improvement will probably end up with decent results.
posted by bartonlong at 11:44 AM on June 30, 2010
I work as a civil engineer in mostly land development and the most effective strategy I have seen for this is infill projects in marginal neighborhoods (which is exaclty where habitat for humanity does most of its homes). Government mandated affordable housing usually just ends up as regular price housing after the first people buy it or if it is price controlled as substandard or even slum housing. Anything that engages the recipient with a sense of ownership and lasting improvement will probably end up with decent results.
posted by bartonlong at 11:44 AM on June 30, 2010
ARCH seems to work pretty well. It's basically a regional coalition of cities in King County (where Seattle is) that pools funds together for projects distributed throughout the membership area. It also supports technical and planning expertise. This overcomes the difficulty that most small cities have in terms of getting resources (both financial and technical), as the member cities vary in size.
Are you looking just for information or are you wanting to replicate a program? I did a degree project on this and I might be able to point you to some resources.
posted by calistasm at 4:21 PM on June 30, 2010
Are you looking just for information or are you wanting to replicate a program? I did a degree project on this and I might be able to point you to some resources.
posted by calistasm at 4:21 PM on June 30, 2010
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posted by carmicha at 10:27 AM on June 30, 2010