Chicago IL: Affordable Requirements Ordinance
This program, adopted in 2007 and revised in 2015, has been designed primarily to secure fees-in-lieu rather than affordable units built on-site in mixed-income developments. The affordable housing obligation it places on the developers also remain less than demanding. For these reasons, the program should be probably seen as how not to make best use of inclusionary zoning. Read the Case Study
This case study was originally prepared in October 2009, and then updated in May 2016, by Richard Drdla. The original case study was prepared through funding provided by the Wellesley Institute.
New York NY: Mandatory Inclusionary Housing
The city passed this mandatory inclusionary program in March 2016 after seeing the unsatisfactory results of its voluntary program adopted in 1987. This program applies to certain designated neighborhoods across the city, and targets developments taking advantage of the pre-established up-zonings available as-of-right in those areas. Read the Case Study
The case study was prepared by Richard Drdla in May 2016.
San Francisco CA: Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program
This program, initially adopted in 1992, was the first inclusionary program in a big and built-out city. It has been substantially changed and enhanced over the years, generally making it more demanding and productive. It applies both to developments needing a re-zoning and those proceeding as-of-right, while imposing a higher affordable housing obligation on the later. It is also notable for offering no explicit density bonuses nor any other cost off-sets. Read the Case Study
The case study was prepared by Richard Drdla in November 2009 through funding provided by the Wellesley Institute.
Montgomery County MD: Moderately Priced Housing Program
This program was initially adopted in 1971, making it one of the very first in the country and also one of the very few county ones. It applies to all as-of-right developments without offering density bonuses, but does provide density bonuses for affordable units provided above the minimum. Although an important pioneering and productive program, its idiosyncratic approach to many aspects have not been emulated elsewhere. Read the Case Study
The case study was prepared Richard Drdla in October 2009 through funding provided by the Wellesley Institute.
Davis CA: Affordable Housing Program
The small city in northern California adopted its first program in 1977, and has subsequently revised and enhanced three times since then. It is broadly representative of the programs in this state. It is also notable for using the program to secure a wide array of affordable housing for different types and incomes. Read the Case Study
The case study was prepared in December 2009 by Richard Drdla through funding provided by the Wellesley Institute.
Boston MA: Inclusionary Development Policy
This mandatory program was established in 2000 by executive order of the, and has been modified on several occasions since then. It applies only to new developments needing a re-zoning, but because of the city’s out-of-date zoning this in effect affects all new developments. The program itself offers no density increases or any other cost-offsets, but these can be secured through the re-zoning process. Read the Case Study
The case study was prepared by Richard Drdla in October 2009 through funding provided by the Wellesley Institute.
Burlington: Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
This small city in northern Vermont adopted its first inclusionary program in 1990 and modified it once since then. It has drawn upon and incorporated many of the best practices developed elsewhere, while introducing innovations of its own. It imposes higher affordable housing obligations on developments serving higher income levels. It also was one of first to control affordability permanently. Read the Case Study
The case study was prepared by Richard Drdla in October 2009 through funding provided by the Wellesley Institute.
