This presentation summarizes New York City's "Housing Opportunity" zoning text amendment, aimed at addressing the city's housing shortage. Key points include:  

• Goal: Create up to 82,000 new homes in 15 years by modifying zoning citywide.

• Low-Density Areas:

  • Legalize "missing middle" housing (3-5 story apartment buildings) near transit and commercial corridors.

  • Allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in 1-2 family homes.  

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• Medium/High-Density Areas:

  • Implement a Universal Affordability Preference (UAP), allowing 20% larger buildings if the extra space is for affordable housing (60% AMI).  

  • Income averaging for the affordable units.

• Citywide Changes:

  • Roll back parking mandates, especially in areas with good transit access (Zone 1).

  • Certain housing types are exempt from parking requirements.

• Overall Aim: Increase housing supply incrementally throughout the city, promoting fair housing goals and addressing the core causes of the housing crisis.  

This presentation discusses the evolution of informal settlements (squatter settlements) in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the shift from "classic informality" to "new informality."

Key Points:

• Classic Informality (20th Century):

  • Spontaneous land occupations driven by rural migration, political unrest, or natural disasters.

  • Progressive consolidation and self-built urbanization over time.

  • Vulnerability to climate change.

  • Houses often shared by multiple families.

  • Government programs focused on providing basic services and improving resilience.

• New Informality (21st Century):

  • Private landlords and public entities selling land without services.

  • Informal rental markets within consolidated settlements.

  • Financed by remittances and potentially money laundering.

  • Two main forms:

    • More compact, densified settlements within existing informal areas.

    • Diffuse, sprawling new settlements on the outskirts of cities.

  • "Confused environment" with both compact and diffuse informality.

• Challenges and Solutions:

  • Redefining the status quo and recognizing new actors (land sellers, private donors).

  • Addressing resource scarcity for comprehensive neighborhood improvement.

  • Strengthening collaboration between municipalities, governments, academia, and NGOs.

  • Mapping and engaging with new market players.

  • Sharing knowledge and best practices across countries.

  • The need to change the perception of squatter settlements from a problem to part of the solution.

  • The need to work with new political leaders, and social leaders within the communities.

The presentation emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to address the evolving challenges of informal settlements, focusing on collaboration and recognizing the changing dynamics of land access and development.

This presentation discusses housing affordability in Japan, comparing it to other countries and proposing solutions for the future.

Key Points:

• History of Affordable Housing in Japan:

  • Two main systems:

    • Financial support for home buyers (low-interest loans).

    • Direct housing supply from public and semi-public agencies (e.g., Urban Renaissance Agency).

  • Shift from building new units to reusing and renovating existing ones due to declining population and aging society.

• Affordability Compared to Other Countries:

  • Housing costs in Japan appear relatively affordable overall based on OECD data.

  • However, low-income households in Japan face a high housing cost burden.

  • Japan has less social rental housing compared to other OECD countries.

• Vision for Affordable Cities in Japan:

  • Rethink Zoning:

    • Shift from exclusionary zoning to inclusionary zoning to encourage affordable housing development.

    • Offer incentives like tax breaks and density bonuses.

    • Address potential challenges like balancing developer costs and community concerns.

  • Explore Missing Middle Housing:

    • Promote diverse housing options like duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings.

    • Increase affordability and support diverse communities.

  • Consider New Living Arrangements:

    • Encourage shared housing, group homes, and co-living spaces.

    • Increase affordability and promote social connection.

The presentation highlights the need for Japan to adapt its housing policies to address the challenges of an aging society and ensure affordability for all, particularly low-income households. It suggests that diversifying housing options and promoting innovative living arrangements are crucial for creating more affordable and inclusive cities in Japan.

This presentation provides an overview of affordable housing in China, outlining its history, challenges, and future prospects.

Key Points:

• History:

  • 1978: Beginning of the "unit housing welfare system," with housing provided as a public good.

  • 1988: Shift towards housing commercialization, with the introduction of market-oriented housing alongside welfare housing.

  • 2008: Housing supply diversification, with policies supporting low-rent housing and a diverse housing system.

  • 2016: Goal of "housing for living, not for speculation," promoting a system combining renting and purchasing.

• Achievements:

  • Significant increase in per capita housing area since 1978.

  • Development of a diverse housing system.

• Challenges:

  • Limited Coverage: The "sandwich class" (those who cannot afford to buy but earn too much for affordable housing) is not adequately served.

  • Regional Imbalance: Oversupply in some economically underdeveloped areas and shortages in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

  • Quality Issues: Problems with design, construction quality, and supporting public services in some affordable housing projects.

  • Financial Constraints: Lack of construction funds, long return cycles, and limited financial channels hinder development.

• Prospects:

  • Decreasing total population but increasing urbanization.

  • Focus on "good housing" with three principles: human-centered design, matching supply and demand, and city-specific policies.

  • Confidence in the government's plans to address affordable housing challenges.

The presentation highlights the progress made in providing affordable housing in China, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges. It emphasizes the need for targeted policies, innovative solutions, and continued efforts to ensure adequate and quality housing for all, particularly those in the "sandwich class" and in high-demand areas.

This presentation examines the challenges and recent developments in affordable housing in Mexico, highlighting the difficulties faced by low-income households and the government's efforts to address them.

Key Challenges:

• High Housing Costs: Mexico has the third-highest housing costs for low-income households among OECD countries, despite relatively low average incomes.

• Limited Access to Credit: Low-income households struggle to access housing credit, contributing to a significant housing deficit.

• Housing Quality and Deficit: A large portion of private houses, especially in poorer regions, are substandard and require improvements. Overcrowding is also a significant issue.

• Urban Sprawl: The majority of affordable housing is built in the outskirts of cities, leading to long commutes and limited access to services, culture, and leisure activities.

• Low Public Spending: Mexico has the lowest public spending on housing allowances among OECD countries, despite the high cost of affordable housing.

• Land Use: Most metropolitan land is dedicated to low-density residential purposes, contributing to urban sprawl.

Recent Developments:

• Previous Administration (2019-2024):

  • Shifted focus from private developers to self-built housing, providing direct financing and training to individuals.

  • Led to a decrease in the number of new housing units available due to slower construction by individuals.

• Current Administration (2024-present):

  • Launched the "Housing Program for Well-being" to build 1 million homes in 6 years.

  • Plans to regularize land in the outskirts of cities and negotiate with landowners.

  • Includes a small number of housing improvements (450,000) compared to the overall housing stock.

  • Funding will come from the national housing mortgage institution, with concerns about the sustainability of interest-free mortgages.

  • Criticism regarding the location of new housing projects in remote areas, perpetuating the issue of urban sprawl.

The presentation raises concerns about the current approach to affordable housing in Mexico, particularly the reliance on building in the outskirts of cities and the low level of public spending. It suggests that addressing urban sprawl and increasing the supply of affordable housing options in well-located areas are crucial for improving housing affordability and access for low-income households.

This presentation provides an overview of affordable housing initiatives in Vietnam, highlighting recent policies and goals for the future.

Key Points:

• Legal Framework:

  • Several decrees have been issued by the Vietnamese government to regulate and support the development of social housing, including Decree No. 954/2021, Decree No. 98/2021, and Decree No. 100/2015.

  • These decrees cover various aspects of social housing, such as renovation and redevelopment of buildings, development and management of social housing projects, and eligibility criteria for support policies.

• Social Housing Development:

  • Decision No. 1341/QD-TTg from 2021 outlines a plan to invest in building 1 million social housing units for workers in industrial parks by 2030.

  • This initiative aims to provide affordable housing for low- and middle-income families, contributing to political stability, social security, and urban and rural development.

  • The total investment for this program is estimated to be around 110-120 billion VND.

• Outcomes and Goals:

  • By 2030, the total number of social housing apartments completed by local authorities is expected to be around 1 million units.

  • This includes 428,000 units to be completed between 2021 and 2025, and another 572,000 units between 2025 and 2030.

  • The goal is to create conditions for everyone to have access to accommodation, supporting social policy beneficiaries, low-income people, and workers in industrial parks.

• Implementation:

  • The government is encouraging a multi-sector approach, involving state-owned enterprises, private sector companies, and government agencies in the development of social housing.

  • Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as other provinces, are actively involved in providing land and implementing social housing projects.

The presentation emphasizes the Vietnamese government's commitment to addressing affordable housing needs through supportive policies, investment programs, and collaboration with various sectors. The goal is to ensure access to affordable housing for low-income families, workers, and vulnerable groups, contributing to social stability and economic development.