Inclusionary housing bill questioned, lauded
City developers must set aside units for low-income housing
Passage of an inclusionary housing bill was supposed to help strike a balance between fostering development and construction that would help revitalize Baltimore, and making sure those in need are not swept aside in a wake of gentrification.
But with reports of low funding for the bill and new report critical of the Housing Authority, some are questioning whether such policies will have any positive effect, or whether the bill could even cause significant damage the already-fragile real estate market.
"I believe that this ordinance will have a limited impact on the shortage or availability of affordable housing," said Jake Ruppert, president of Ruppert Homes, Inc., a residential development and construction company.
Following the general recommendations of the Baltimore City Task Force on Inclusionary Zoning and Housing, the Baltimore City Council passed a bill in June mandating that all new or renovated developments with 30 or more units to set aside a portion of their properties for affordable housing.
If these developments are constructed or renovated with the help of public subsidy or are rezoaned in a way that boosts the number of units it envelops must dedicate 20 percent of their units as low- and moderate-income housing.
Even if the developer receives no help from the city, they are still bound to inclusionary housing regulations and must dedicate 10 percent of their units.
Any attempts to reduce the number of units must be approved by the newly-created Inclusionary Housing Board, whose responsibilities will also include monitoring the bill's implementation.
Smaller developments who volunteer to set aside housing will receive benefits from the City in the form of cost offsets and zoning benefits.
Proponents of the bill say that this new City mandate was not designed to impose any additional burden on developers but instead to ensure "that the city cover the costs of the affordable units," said Bibi Caporizzo, the housing director for Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA).
But with reports of low funding for the bill and new report critical of the Housing Authority, some are questioning whether such policies will have any positive effect, or whether the bill could even cause significant damage the already-fragile real estate market.
"I believe that this ordinance will have a limited impact on the shortage or availability of affordable housing," said Jake Ruppert, president of Ruppert Homes, Inc., a residential development and construction company.
Following the general recommendations of the Baltimore City Task Force on Inclusionary Zoning and Housing, the Baltimore City Council passed a bill in June mandating that all new or renovated developments with 30 or more units to set aside a portion of their properties for affordable housing.
If these developments are constructed or renovated with the help of public subsidy or are rezoaned in a way that boosts the number of units it envelops must dedicate 20 percent of their units as low- and moderate-income housing.
Even if the developer receives no help from the city, they are still bound to inclusionary housing regulations and must dedicate 10 percent of their units.
Any attempts to reduce the number of units must be approved by the newly-created Inclusionary Housing Board, whose responsibilities will also include monitoring the bill's implementation.
Smaller developments who volunteer to set aside housing will receive benefits from the City in the form of cost offsets and zoning benefits.
Proponents of the bill say that this new City mandate was not designed to impose any additional burden on developers but instead to ensure "that the city cover the costs of the affordable units," said Bibi Caporizzo, the housing director for Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA).
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