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Episode 37: Incentivizing the Housing of Tomorrow
Episode 37
Wednesday, 6 May, 2026
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) - a local policy that requires developers to include a portion of affordable units in new residential projects or pay a fee instead, helping cities ensure mixed-income communities. Area Median Income (AMI) - a measure of the average household income in a region used to determine eligibility for affordable housing programs and to set rent or price limits. Market-rate housing - housing rented or sold at prices determined by the open market, without income restrictions. Missing middle housing - includes housing types like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes that fall between single-family homes and large apartment buildings and are often more affordable. Entitlement process - the phase where a developer gets approvals from a city for a project’s design, density, and use before construction can begin. Workforce housing - typically refers to housing affordable to moderate-income earners such as teachers, nurses, and service workers, often within a defined AMI range. Incentive programs are financial or regulatory benefits offered by cities, such as fee reductions or tax waivers, to encourage developers to build housing that might otherwise be too costly. Podium construction refers to mid-rise buildings where residential units are built on top of a concrete base, typically used for parking or retail, and is generally cheaper than high-rise construction. Office-to-residential conversion is the process of transforming underused commercial buildings into housing units, though it depends heavily on building design and feasibility. Predevelopment refers to the early stages of a project, including site acquisition, financing, design, and approvals, all of which involve significant time and risk before building starts. Administrative burden describes the time, cost, and complexity associated with complying with regulations, paperwork, and program requirements in housing development.
