Metropolitan Planning Council’s Post

The "missing middle" of housing—adus, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and other medium-density options—could be key to tackling the housing affordability crisis, but it’s still underbuilt across much of the U.S. A new report shows middle housing grew just 11% nationwide over the last 20 years, leaving growing cities like Fort Worth and Gilbert, AZ struggling to meet demand. Meanwhile, areas with strong middle housing markets, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are keeping prices more affordable, often below the national average. The South is leading in overall housing growth, but high demand and migration are driving up prices, turning once-affordable markets more competitive. Now’s the time to take action! Advocate for zoning updates in our community, support creative solutions, and encourage policymakers to prioritize re-legalizing "missing middle" housing. Together, we can expand housing options and build stronger, more inclusive communities. 🏘🌿🚶♂️✨

🏗️As a realtor and registered new home builder, I often hear frustration directed at our industry for rising housing costs. 🏠 Municipal decisions like Amherstburg’s 54% increase in development charges play a significant role in shaping the affordability of new homes.💸 These fees, which I understand fund infrastructure such as roads, water pipes, and parks, add substantial costs for developers. If builders are expected to include that fee into the cost of business, it would be naive to think it will no be passed along to buyers and thus affecting the affordability of homes. 💰 I predict a ripple affect that will impact everyone in the housing ecosystem. ⭐My priority is to help clients navigate these complexities and find the best possible solutions for their housing needs. ✔️While I don’t make policy, I believe in fostering open conversations between municipalities, developers, and residents to ensure sustainable growth that benefits all stakeholders.

DMV’s housing gap: Key players say there’s more to resolving the region’s residential crisis than policymaking https://ift.tt/CUR4ehJ Despite Maryland’s recent efforts to boost affordable housing and the residential construction projects dotting the region, there is a critically short supply of homes in the DMV — a problem experts say will take widespread collaboration to solve. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments projected that the region needs to add at least 320,000 housing units between 2020 and 2030, 75,000 more than expected. Yet, many areas are falling short of that target. In Montgomery County, Maryland,… via Residential Real Estate News - Residential Real Estate News Headlines | Bizjournals.com https://ift.tt/JEsn0BG September 01, 2024 at 03:00AM

Multifamily developers like #Greystar and #AllianceResidential are committed to addressing the significant housing demand in California, viewing the housing gap as an opportunity. While the Golden State faces hurdles such as complex regulations, high land prices, and rising construction costs, it remains a dynamic market with substantial opportunities for those who can adapt and innovate.

The Housing Crisis in Massachusetts: A Developer’s Perspective They say home is where the heart is. But what happens when finding a home feels impossible? In Massachusetts, we’re staring down a shortage of over 100,000 homes. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a crisis. Families, first-time buyers, and retirees are all struggling to find affordable, high-quality housing in a market flooded with outdated, overpriced options. At Cedarbrook Homes, we’re tackling this problem head-on. We’ve built over 200 homes and multifamily developments, and we’ve seen the challenges buyers face up close. That’s why we focus on underserved markets, delivering durable, energy-efficient homes with modern finishes—all at competitive prices. It’s not just about building homes; it’s about creating opportunities. Our integration with Meadowline Construction as the construction entity means we can handle both development and construction seamlessly, keeping costs down and quality high. The 41-unit condominium project in Swansea, MA, is a perfect example. These aren’t just houses—they’re a lifeline for people priced out of the market. And with low inventory and high demand, the timing couldn’t be better. If you’re an investor looking for a project that’s not only profitable but also impactful, let’s connect. This is more than a chance to have the potential to double your money in as short as 2 years—it’s a chance to be part of the solution. Book a call with me, and let’s talk about how you can make a difference. #RealEstateDevelopment, #AffordableHousing, #EnergyEfficientHomes, #ConstructionExpertise

When you cap rent however expect property owners and investors to pay high cost of goods, labor, services you cap the growth of development. Our clients care about people. They are making a living too. In some cases your own 401k’s are being invested in real estate. Development of properties is essential for good competition. It is essential for economic growth- if you have housing, companies will relocate good jobs. The proof is in the data. Jay Parsons says it like it is. No fluff - truth. Rent control sucks the life out of our economic vitality. There are better ways - say yes to different asset classes in your neighborhood. That is called diversity! Lower interest rates for investors to purchase properties that need to be updated. Competition+value add + development -NIMBYism = housing for people. Okay that was a rant-we all need to block rent control. Educate the people you know. It’s important.

A reinvigorated national discussion on how to solve the housing supply shortage presents an incredible opportunity for developers, particularly in the multifamily housing space. However, developers of color still face unique obstacles in making the most of that opportunity. Find out how multifamily developers of color are faring in ten major American cities: Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington, DC:

The way we approve new housing is wild. What if we had to follow this process while driving? The current discretionary approval process is what I like to call "litigating every project." Imagine if we applied this case-by-case approval process to traffic laws. Every intersection would require you to submit an application, pay a review fee, and await community debate on whether you can proceed. After months of review and thousands in consulting fees, you might finally cross—but only if you agree to paint your car a different color and drive 5 MPH slower than the speed limit. Absurd, right? Yet, this is how we treat housing development. A developer following established zoning codes and building standards still faces months or years of discretionary reviews, accumulating costs that ultimately get passed on to renters and homebuyers. Just as predictable traffic rules keep our roads functioning efficiently, clear, consistent development regulations would allow us to build housing more quickly and affordably. Most projects that require the discretionary approval process follow the established rules anyway. A technicality pushes them into this arduous process, which consumes developers, architects, engineers, and governmental resources. The solution to this regulatory cost is simple: make more types of projects available by right. To accomplish this, we must bring together the community, city planning staff, and private sector experts to develop a steadfast set of development rules and stick to them—for all projects. If you follow the set rules, there is no discretionary process, significantly reducing regulatory costs.

Here is the problem and why tenants want so much protections: Councilperson Hernandez cited Los Angeles Housing Department Data, which found that the 1st Council District has 51,631 rent-stabilized units with a median rent ranging between $1,100 and $1,500 per month, versus average market rate rents of roughly $2,657 in Northeast Los Angeles (source Urbanize LA 4.23.24). The equity value of these RSO units gives the tenants a live life estate (as long as you live there, you have a life estate in the below-market rent). So he/she now fights for his/her property rights! This came out in an attempt to block ED1 projects that displace these RSO tenants. ED1 does not mandate very low and extremely low rents—just affordable rents which are about $1,800 for a single apartment—significantly above what the RSO tenants are paying. Councilperson Hernandez is trying to put new conditions on ED1 projects in her district. https://lnkd.in/ggfyZCyj

3 new projects are bringing more affordable housing options to San Antonio https://ift.tt/Zv2HENt When real estate developer The NRP Group started building affordable housing in San Antonio 20 years ago, the need was great. And after two decades of economic and population growth, the shortage of quality, low-cost housing has only gotten more severe. Population growth has been one factor, growing by about 17% since 2010. But soaring home prices — jumping from about $90,000 in 2000 to about $240,000 today — have been even more impactful. “The challenge just gets greater and the need continues… via Residential Real Estate News - Residential Real Estate News Headlines | Bizjournals.com https://ift.tt/3touqgT October 15, 2024 at 11:31AM