In some cities, many single-family neighborhoods could add housing if zoning allowed “gentle” increases in density, according to the Brookings Institution. Such areas could accommodate townhomes, two- to four-family homes, and small-scale apartment or condominium buildings without radically changing the character of neighborhoods, the organization says.
This strategy could bring down average housing prices in high-cost locations such as Washington, D.C., while retaining the physical scale of the neighborhood. This could be done without having to cobble together adjacent lots because existing lot sizes would be big enough for such new construction.
The homes most attractive for redevelopment in this scenario are older structures that are in poor physical condition and located on relatively large lots in expensive neighborhoods.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Housing Policy + Finance
The Garden State Takes a New Approach to Expanding Affordable Housing
Recent legislation in New Jersey could provide inspiration for eliminating affordable housing hurdles in other places with strong housing markets
Affordability
Will NAR's Landmark Commissions Settlement Lower Housing Costs?
The $418 million deal changes long-standing rules—written and unwritten—that consumers claim inflated sales commissions for home sellers, including new-home builders
Government + Policy
Biden's Proposed Fixes for Housing Affordability
In his State of the Union address, President Biden proposed several actions to improve housing affordability and supply