Abstract:

This report represents the most ambitious effort in California – and probably the nation – to examine the impact of inclusionary housing policies statewide. The single most important conclusion is that inclusionary programs are putting roofs over the heads of tens of thousands of Californians. These homes, in turn, are building mixed-income neighborhoods where houses considered “affordable” are often indistinguishable from those at market-rate. High school teachers, clergy, health care workers, day care providers – people who are considered lower-income – can now open their front doors and say, “welcome to my home” as a result of inclusionary housing programs. Rising housing costs and shrinking public funds are prompting more local governments to use inclusionary programs. While not a magic bullet for all affordable housing needs, inclusionary programs are a proven tool for building diverse housing that meets the needs of all of a community’s residents. It is not surprising, then, that a record number of cities and counties are adopting inclusionary housing programs at increasing rates.