Affordable Housing, Land Tenure, and Urban Policy: The Matrix Revealed

Abstract:     
Under current law, most new affordable housing is constructed by private entities employing a variety of federal, state, and local subsidies. Developers and residents must choose which among various, sometimes conflicting goals their project will emphasize. In this paper, the authors analyze the differing goals subsidized housing projects can serve, the trade offs that different goals may present, and the means to achieve goals and minimize conflicts. Goals identified include the provision of physically decent housing, building residents' wealth, social integration in the larger community, urban vitality, training, social engagement, institution building, and efficient use of public funds. The authors also examine leading federal and state housing programs, including traditional public housing, Section 8, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and inclusionary zoning to identify how they promote or frustrate achievement of these goals.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 118

Accepted Paper Series