Affordable housing (as implemented in Boston)

[plam]

I remember we were talking about requiring mixed-income in housing a while ago. Looks like Boston requires developers to either provide discounted units or else to contribute to a fund which builds affordable housing. They are also trying to enforce non-segregation of such housing (although that is difficult).

Walsh’s inclusionary housing policy, unveiled recently, updated a city program that requires builders of most large residential developments either to discount a percentage of their units so low-income families can afford them, or to subsidize affordable housing elsewhere in the city. Building elsewhere in the city often means more bang for the buck, since land and other costs are cheaper outside downtown, but it can also have the drawback of concentrating poverty. Walsh shifted the incentives; downtown developers will now have greater requirements if they elect to “cash out,” or build affordable units off-site.

source: Boston Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/edito...story.html

[KentHD]

I remember we were talking about requiring mixed-income in housing a while ago. Looks like Boston requires developers to either provide discounted units or else to contribute to a fund which builds affordable housing. They are also trying to enforce non-segregation of such housing (although that is difficult).

Walsh’s inclusionary housing policy, unveiled recently, updated a city program that requires builders of most large residential developments either to discount a percentage of their units so low-income families can afford them, or to subsidize affordable housing elsewhere in the city. Building elsewhere in the city often means more bang for the buck, since land and other costs are cheaper outside downtown, but it can also have the drawback of concentrating poverty. Walsh shifted the incentives; downtown developers will now have greater requirements if they elect to “cash out,” or build affordable units off-site.

source: Boston Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/edito...story.html

IMHO the cost effective way to provide affordable rental housing is through Federally incorporated Co-ops. While government backing may be needed to get one started and governments can help immensely by making land available.  The co-op itself assumes a mortgage for the cost of the property and collects monthly housing charges to pay off the mortgage pay property taxes, waste collection, etc., ultimately costing the government little or nothing. Management is looked after by a board elected by and from the members. Where I live members look after moving the grass, tending the flower beds, shoveling walks in the winter, etc. Snow removal for the parking lots is contracted out. Where I livevits a townhouse complex, but co-ops exist in apartment towers, a great example is Bread & Roses co-op in Kitchener.

[ac3r]

Or just...pay people more money for what they do. That tends to work a heck of a lot better than expecting our dominant political parties to solve any of the issues THEY create.

[tomh009]

Or just...pay people more money for what they do. That tends to work a heck of a lot better than expecting our dominant political parties to solve any of the issues THEY create.

If we pay everyone 20% more tomorrow, you can bet that things will cost 20% more as well. So, that doesn't work.

If we can reduce income inequality, that DOES work for improving affordability. But how does one make that happen at private companies? Of course, the government can reduce the after-tax income inequality by adjusting the progressive income tax rates, but that, too, tends to produce howls of protest.

[ijmorlan]

I’d say expecting one of our dominant political parties to do something is far more reasonable than expecting thousands of private employers to just suddenly decide to increase their employees’ wages for no particular reason.

[tomh009]

I’d say expecting one of our dominant political parties to do something is far more reasonable than expecting thousands of private employers to just suddenly decide to increase their employees’ wages for no particular reason.

Right. The two main levers are income tax rates (federal and provincial) and the minimum wage (provincial). If income tax rates are increased, the increased government revenues could be used to subsidize housing or otherwise support low-income earners.