Abstract We provide an in-depth case study of land use reforms in Seattle to highlight how redevelopment of aging single-family housing to townhomes can lead to a significant increase in market-rate housing that promotes affordability. The key is to allow market forces to use by-right zoning to drive small-scale development, when also supported by clear and simplified regulatory frameworks. We have dubbed this the Housing Abundance Success Sequence , which is supported by this study along with over two dozen others. We document that such policies can lead to a sustained 2 percent per year increase in the housing stock. Importantly, this approach requires no government subsidies and leads to higher local tax revenues. Our findings underscore the potential of thoughtful land use reforms to create more inclusive, affordable, and resilient housing markets, while also demonstrating that inclusionary zoning mandates do not work and can stop market-rate developers in their tracks. Read the full working paper here…
Authors
- Pages
- 42
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- Abstract 2
- Introduction 3
- Literature Review 4
- Legally permissible 8
- Physically possible 8
- Financially feasible 8
- Maximally productive 8
- Background on Seattle 9
- The 1994-2014 Seattle Comprehensive Plan 11
- Toward a Sustainable Seattle 12
- Impact of the Seattle Plan 13
- Built Density Urban Villages vs. Single-family Zones 13
- Affordability and Density Economic Implications 15
- Single-Family vs. Townhomes Divergent Development Patterns 17
- The Impact on Homeownership and Demographics 18
- Entrepreneurship and Small-scale Development 20
- Housing Price Appreciation and Market Dynamics 21
- Year 21
- Policy Implications and Future Directions Learning from Seattles Experience 21
- The Success of Light-Touch Density and Its Potential Expansion 22
- Challenges with the Mandatory Housing Affordability Program 22
- Accessory Dwelling Units An Alternative to Townhomes 23
- The Housing Failure Sequence What Doesnt Work 24
- Low Maximum Floor-Area Ratio FAR Requirements 25
- High Minimum Lot Size Requirements 25
- Restrictive Design Standards 25
- Limitations on Building Coverage and Height 26
- Permit Caps 26
- Excessive Parking and Other Requirements 26
- Income Limits Affordable Housing Fees and Mandates 26
- Owner-Occupancy Requirements and High Impact Fees 26
- Conclusion 27
- References 28
- Journal of Urban Economics 28
- The Zone Plan 28
- Journal of Public Economics 28
- Environmental and Public Economics Essays in Honor of Wallace E. Oates 28
- Journal of Housing Economics 28
- Economic Policy Review 28
- Journal of Urban Economics 28
- Cityscape 28
- Journal of Property Research 29
- Regional Science and Urban Economics 29
- Journal of Urban Economics 29
- American Economic Review 29
- Cityscape 29
- Economic Policy Review 29
- Urban Studies 29
- Regional Science and Urban Economics 29
- Table 1. 30
- Table 2. 30
- Maximum number of 30
- Cumulative net additional 30
- Count As a of 30
- ADU 300 0.1 30
- 2 1800 0.5 30
- 3 3650 1.0 30
- 4 5050 1.4 30
- 5 5950 1.6 30
- 6 6350 1.7 30
- 7 6600 1.8 30
- 8 6800 1.9 30
- Figure 1. 31
- Figure 2. 31
- Legend Each dot is a residential building 31
- Pink Single- family detached 31
- Blue Light- touch Density LTD townhome 31
- Purple Condominium could be LTD 31
- Green LTD 2-8 unit buildings 31
- Orange Higher density multi-family 31
- Figure 3. 32
- Figure 4. 33
- Figure 5. 33
- Figure 6. 34
- Figure 7. 34
- Figure 8. 35
- Figure 9. 36
- Figure 10. 37
- Figure 11. 37
- Figure 12. 38
- Figure 13. 39
- Figure 14. 40
- Figure 15. 41
- Figure 16. 42
