Housing: Opening the Door

Housing: Opening the Door

"As a local planning commissioner, you can help your community harmonize the housing and service needs of your whole community with the specific objections of neighborhood opponents."
-- Michael Allen, Esq., from "Why Not in Our Back Yard?"
Many communities are struggling to provide the kinds of housing their residents need and can afford. From multi-family housing, to community land trusts, to understanding the changing nature of the housing "consumer," this set of articles previously published in the Planning Commissioners Journal will help you to better understand - and deal with - the issues facing these communities. Also included are thoughtful observations on NIMBY's, a look at homeowner associations, and some innovative suggestions for today's housing market.

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Articles
Summary

Where Does Housing Go?

Single-Family-Only-Zones
by Laurence Gerckens, FAICP A look back at the origins of single-family-only zoning, and why its key premise of fostering good citizenship through home ownership is unsound.

Zoning & Changing Lifestyles
by Greg Dale & Michael Chandler An overview of zoning focusing on the impact that changes in our society are having on local zoning regulation.

Does Smart Growth = Equitable Growth?
by Leah Kalinosky Smart growth promises less sprawl, reduced congestion, cleaner air, fewer wasted tax dollars, and revitalized neighborhoods. Yet advocates for low-income communities fear it may also lead to rising housing prices, displacing lower-income families and small businesses.

A Mix of Housing
by David Brussat Some insights on our mix of housing, by Providence, Rhode Island architecture and urban planning columnist David Brussat.

Bright Idea: Family Housing Downtown
by Wayne Senville The City of Vancouver has taken creative steps to encourage families to live in the downtown core. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.

Housing for All:

"I" is for Inclusionary
by Laurence Gerckens, FAICP Planning historian Laurence Gerckens provides a brief historical overview of efforts to promote inclusionary housing. From Gerckens' Planning ABCs publication.

Providing Affordable Housing
by Michael Bodaken & Anne Heitlinger An overview of ways in which state and local officials can spur the development of affordable housing.

Understanding HUD's "Consolidated Plan" Requirement
by Ed Gramlich Instead of viewing the Consolidated Plan as a bureaucratic obstacle, planners can use it as a tool to better address the needs of low income residents.

Community Land Trusts: An Introduction
by Tom Peterson Community land trusts are offering an increasing number of communities a way of developing long-term affordable housing.

Designing Multi-Family Housing for Residential Neighborhoods
by Rene Davids & Christine Killory Two award-winning architects discuss how they've approached integrating multi-family housing into residential neighborhoods.

Bright Idea: Workforce Housing
by Wayne Senville How one Minnesota city has taken steps to provide housing that wage-earners can afford. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.

The New "Active Adult" Housing
by Wayne Lemmon A common sense alternative for single-family home ownership providing maintenance free living close to family and friends is part of the "pitch" for active over-55 communities, a rapidly growing segment of the housing market.

Visitability: A Major "No-Step" Towards Inclusive Housing
by Jordana L. Maisel With the aging of the baby boomer generation, homes that allow seniors to age in place will become increasingly desirable. Changes in public policy and design practices must begin to prepare for the growing number of seniors who want to age in their own homes.

Bright Idea: Aging in Place
by Wayne Senville A brief look at the growing interest in making it easier for seniors to "age in place." From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.

The Changing Face of Manufactured Housing
by Matt Weiser There has been an evolution in manufactured housing: from mobile homes to homes that are hard to distinguish from traditional, site-built designs. A growing number of communities recognize that it can offer an affordable housing option compatible with existing neighborhoods.

Homeowners Associations
by Alan Weinstein a look at some of the benefits and disadvantages of homeowners associations, and how their rules are shaping the lives of a growing number of people.

Public Participation:

On Nimbys:
A Nose for Nimbys, by Christine Robbins
Is Your Community Being Invaded by NIMBYs?, by Elaine Cogan
Why Not in Our Back Yard?, by Michael Allen
The "Multi-Family Housing Blues", by Bob Mulder
Dealing With the Fear of Multi-Family Housing, by Ray Quay

Five articles from the Planning Commissioners Journal that will help you better address NIMBY issues in your community.

Dealing with an Angry Public
by Debra Stein A frequently faced, but seldom discussed, subject is how to deal with angry citizens at public meetings. Community relations consultant Debra Stein suggests ways of keeping cool when things get hot.

Take a look also at our other "Taking a Closer Look" reprint sets

Articles	Summary
Where Does Housing Go?
Single-Family-Only-Zones by Laurence Gerckens, FAICP	A look back at the origins of single-family-only zoning, and why its key premise of fostering good citizenship through home ownership is unsound.
Zoning & Changing Lifestyles by Greg Dale & Michael Chandler	An overview of zoning focusing on the impact that changes in our society are having on local zoning regulation.
Does Smart Growth = Equitable Growth? by Leah Kalinosky	Smart growth promises less sprawl, reduced congestion, cleaner air, fewer wasted tax dollars, and revitalized neighborhoods. Yet advocates for low-income communities fear it may also lead to rising housing prices, displacing lower-income families and small businesses.
A Mix of Housing by David Brussat	Some insights on our mix of housing, by Providence, Rhode Island architecture and urban planning columnist David Brussat.
Bright Idea: Family Housing Downtown by Wayne Senville	The City of Vancouver has taken creative steps to encourage families to live in the downtown core. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.
Housing for All:
"I" is for Inclusionary by Laurence Gerckens, FAICP	Planning historian Laurence Gerckens provides a brief historical overview of efforts to promote inclusionary housing. From Gerckens' Planning ABCs publication.
Providing Affordable Housing by Michael Bodaken & Anne Heitlinger	An overview of ways in which state and local officials can spur the development of affordable housing.
Understanding HUD's "Consolidated Plan" Requirement by Ed Gramlich	Instead of viewing the Consolidated Plan as a bureaucratic obstacle, planners can use it as a tool to better address the needs of low income residents.
Community Land Trusts: An Introduction by Tom Peterson	Community land trusts are offering an increasing number of communities a way of developing long-term affordable housing.
Designing Multi-Family Housing for Residential Neighborhoods by Rene Davids & Christine Killory	Two award-winning architects discuss how they've approached integrating multi-family housing into residential neighborhoods.
Bright Idea: Workforce Housing by Wayne Senville	How one Minnesota city has taken steps to provide housing that wage-earners can afford. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.
The New "Active Adult" Housing by Wayne Lemmon	A common sense alternative for single-family home ownership providing maintenance free living close to family and friends is part of the "pitch" for active over-55 communities, a rapidly growing segment of the housing market.
Visitability: A Major "No-Step" Towards Inclusive Housing by Jordana L. Maisel	With the aging of the baby boomer generation, homes that allow seniors to age in place will become increasingly desirable. Changes in public policy and design practices must begin to prepare for the growing number of seniors who want to age in their own homes.
Bright Idea: Aging in Place by Wayne Senville	A brief look at the growing interest in making it easier for seniors to "age in place." From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.
The Changing Face of Manufactured Housing by Matt Weiser	There has been an evolution in manufactured housing: from mobile homes to homes that are hard to distinguish from traditional, site-built designs. A growing number of communities recognize that it can offer an affordable housing option compatible with existing neighborhoods.
Homeowners Associations by Alan Weinstein	a look at some of the benefits and disadvantages of homeowners associations, and how their rules are shaping the lives of a growing number of people.
Public Participation:
On Nimbys: A Nose for Nimbys, by Christine Robbins Is Your Community Being Invaded by NIMBYs?, by Elaine Cogan Why Not in Our Back Yard?, by Michael Allen The "Multi-Family Housing Blues", by Bob Mulder Dealing With the Fear of Multi-Family Housing, by Ray Quay	Five articles from the Planning Commissioners Journal that will help you better address NIMBY issues in your community.
Dealing with an Angry Public by Debra Stein	A frequently faced, but seldom discussed, subject is how to deal with angry citizens at public meetings. Community relations consultant Debra Stein suggests ways of keeping cool when things get hot.
	Take a look also at our other "Taking a Closer Look" reprint sets