NHPF Industry Report
Importance of Eliminating Obstacles to Building More Affordable Housing Question: Legal and societal barriers to building/managing affordable housing could be reduced by lobbying for ballot measures or addressing public meetings. Please rank these obstacles in order of importance to eliminate where “1” is most important and “6” is least important. Base: Total Sample, (n=215) / JASPER COLIN Insufficient Government Funding, Tax Incentives, and Subsidies Some Insurers are Charging Exorbitant Rates, Refusing to Offer Coverage, or Leaving Regions Nimbyism (Community Opposition) Due to Concerns About Perceived Negative Impacts Certain Eviction Protections are Harmful to Owners Restrictive Zoning Laws, Land Use Regulations, and Lengthy Permitting Processes High Cost Of Land, Materials, and Labor Particularly in Desirable or Urban Areas
1 2 3 4 5 6
9% 12%
15%
15%
17%
21%
20%
19%
16%
20%
16%
19%
21%
12%
18%
18%
16%
15%
13%
22%
14%
13%
17%
20%
20%
17%
14%
19%
16%
14%
21%
19%
18%
14%
13%
14%
High Cost Of Land, Materials, and Labor Particularly in Desirable or Urban Areas
Restrictive Zoning Laws, Land Use Regulations, and Lengthy Permitting Processes
Certain Eviction Protections are Harmful to Owners
Nimbyism (Community Opposition) Due to Concerns About Perceived Negative Impacts
Some Insurers are Charging Exorbitant Rates, Refusing to Offer Coverage, or Leaving Regions
Insufficient Government Funding,
Tax Incentives, and Subsidies
adopted in Minneapolis, making it the first major U.S. city to eliminate single-family zoning restrictions. These reforms are essential for increasing the supply of affordable housing in mixed-income communities. Community land trusts (CLTs) and mixed-use developments are other effective strategies for ensuring long-term affordability and sustainable land management. CLTs separate land ownership from housing ownership, stabilizing communities and preventing displacement. Mixed-use developments, which combine residential, commercial, and sometimes industrial spaces, offer a holistic approach to community building that supports both economic and social sustainability. Innovations like Passive House Design and Net-Zero Energy Housing are also critical for reducing the environmental impact of affordable housing. These designs focus on maximizing energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, combatting energy insecurity and utility cost burdens, and creating healthier living and more resilient environments for residents. Fully decarbonizing homes is an imperative. Although not ranking as highly, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are also viewed as revolutionizing the housing sector by speeding up construction, minimizing waste, and reducing bureaucratic delays. Along with modular, these methods empower communities to address local housing shortages more effectively. On the other hand, a more provocative approach to increasing support for affordable housing production, to which some survey respondents reacted favorably, calls for financially penalizing those municipalities or organizations who oppose affordable housing. According to Harvard economist Edward Glaeser, there is historical precedent for the successful threat of punitive action. Recalling how the U.S. raised the legal alcohol drinking age is an interesting reminder. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 demanded states raise the minimum age to buy or publicly possess alcohol to 21—or face a reduction in federal highway funds—and it worked. Finally and critically, no discussion of sustainability in the affordable housing arena is complete without mention of the crisis facing insurers, particularly in climate-threatened areas.
THE NHP FOUNDATION 2024 SYMPOSIUM: INDUSTRY REPORT • 7
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