Expanding housing choices in Raleigh, NC: inclusionary zoning as a solution to the affordable housing shortage

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  • February 28, 2019
Creator
  • Bravve, Elina
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of City and Regional Planning
Abstract
  • This study evaluates inclusionary zoning programs nationwide in an effort to guide the design of such a policy in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh, the state capital of North Carolina, is currently finalizing a Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Planning document will shape the future growth and development patterns within the city. The document will impact land use decisions affecting all current and future city residents. The impetus for the development of a new Comprehensive Plan is the anticipation of rapid growth. The city of Raleigh, according to Comprehensive Plan's vision, is part of the fastest growing region in the State of North Carolina and the second fastest growing county. "Expanding Housing Choices" is one of the six themes that guide the development of the vision for the City's new Comprehensive Plan. The Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan 2030 Draft states, "Affordable housing is a key factor which ensures community vitality and continued economic growth".1 Sustained economic growth will depend on the employment of low-to-moderate income earners across a broad spectrum of sectors likely to include elementary school teachers, police officers, retail salespersons, and medical assistants. If expanding affordable housing options is not addressed within the city of Raleigh, the problems associated with both urban sprawl and concentrated poverty will persist locally. Some low income households will be pushed to the periphery of the city where long commutes contribute to pollution. Other households will find housing in City neighborhoods where poverty, crime and substandard housing is common. In April of 2008, City Council convened a Task Force to study affordable housing and comment on the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan draft. The Task Force began to meet in August of 2008. The members of Task Force identified key tools with the potential to effectively address affordable housing needs in Raleigh. These tools included the creation of a Housing Trust Fund, creating a model community housing and land trust, land banking, and inclusionary zoning. Inclusionary zoning generated discussion among Task Force members who viewed it as the most promising tool to expand the supply of affordable housing in Raleigh. Inclusionary zoning is implemented by regulating private development patterns. Developers of residential units are required to set aside a specified percentage of units for households in need of affordable housing. However, the program design of inclusionary zoning varies across municipalities. This research project aims to determine an appropriate design for an inclusionary zoning program in Raleigh.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Nguyen, Mai
Degree
  • Master of City and Regional Planning
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Location
  • Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Extent
  • 64 p.
Access right
  • Open access
Date uploaded
  • December 10, 2010

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