Affordable Housing

Affordable housing refers to housing that is financially accessible to low- and moderate-income households. 

Affordable housing is a critical component of equitable urban development. It is often achieved through policies such as subsidies, inclusionary zoning, public-private partnerships, and the development of non-market housing options like social housing or community land trusts. 

It promotes social inclusion, reduces spatial inequality, and supports economic stability by ensuring that essential workers and vulnerable populations can live near job opportunities and urban amenities. 

Affordability and Quality

Affordable doesn’t mean low-quality—and true success lies in combining affordability with livability: 

• Housing Quality: Affordable housing must meet minimum standards for structural safety, ventilation, sanitation, and energy efficiency. Poorly maintained affordable units can exacerbate health disparities (e.g., asthma from mold, lead poisoning from old paint).

• Location Quality: Housing in isolated or poorly connected areas—even if affordable—may limit access to jobs, education, healthcare, and public transit. This is sometimes called the "spatial mismatch" problem.

• Social Quality: Quality housing supports social cohesion. Affordable housing integrated into mixed-income communities tends to reduce stigma, crime concentration, and social isolation.

• Environmental Quality: Affordable housing developments are increasingly evaluated through the lens of sustainability—access to green space, energy-efficient design, and climate resilience.