Balance between state and local control and between private and public solutions are necessary for meaningful improvement in housing affordability, according to planning activist and affordable housing developer Murtaza Baxamusa.
In this op-ed derived from testimony given for a panel on affordable housing solutions, affordable housing advocate and developer Murtaza Baxamusa argues in favor of a broad spectrum and balanced strategy. Among other things, in the op-ed, Baxamusa:
- Surveys new legislation – state and local, passed and proposed, e.g.,
- Senate Bills 1 & 2, Measure JJJ in LA, SB 1505, SB 35.
- Cautions against blaming CEQA for housing shortages and notes its importance for community involvement and acceptance, and for improving projects.
- Notes importance of preserving existing housing.
- Argues that many of the existing strategies merely fuel speculation and replace more affordable housing stock with luxury housing.
- Cautions against use of the vague terminology of “workforce housing” and “middle income housing” as watering down affordability requirements.
- Cautions that incentive based strategies must be paired with firm exactions.
Overall, Baxamusa cautions that one sided supply-side solutions fuel “rent seeking” opportunism by speculators, that depletes rather than creates affordable housing. Incentives to private developers must be paired with firm requirements and exactions. For more detail, please see the source article.
FULL STORY: How the state can address California’s housing crisis
New California Bond Program Promotes Affordability for Middle-Income Renters
The California Statewide Communities Development Authority hopes that a new program, which helps cities purchase rental properties with no upfront cost, will lead to an increase in affordable middle-income housing.
Montana Legislature Considering Historic Package of Pro-Housing Development Bills
State legislators agree the cost of housing is a growing problem, but there is little consensus on how to boost the supply of affordable housing.
Wisconsin Workers Struggle to Find Affordable Housing
The state is facing a workforce housing shortage and rising costs, but some cities and towns make it difficult to build new housing near jobs.
‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland
Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.
Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny
The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says
Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
