Zoning is one of the most contentious issues in many jurisdictions across the country, no matter how big or small, but one thing zoning officials should be considering is ways to address the ongoing affordability crisis in creative ways that benefit municipalities and its residents alike. This information comes by way of Zillow’s Home Price Expectations Survey which polled 117 highly-placed housing market executives and economists. Of those surveyed, zoning reform was an overwhelmingly popular answer to create more opportunities in existing and new neighborhoods in growing communities to effectively address affordability.

In addition, encouraging local governments to support and not deny affordable housing initiatives in zoning in the form of tax credits plays a big part in creating an image of opportunity for what some would call “low-income” housing. “It seems straightforward: We need to build more homes,” said Dr. Skylar Olsen, Zillow’s Chief Economist. “Changes through policies like modest densification will give us more ‘at bats’ to create density and help communities stay livable for everyone. Without a huge injection of new homes in the near future, affordability will continue to be a challenge for many—especially for first-time home buyers.”

Source: MReport