In a town the size of Cambridge, Massachusetts — just 6 square miles — there isn’t much room to squeeze in new multifamily housing. So in an effort to create more affordable housing options, officials have authorized developers to do what other cities around the country are considering: Build up.
A new city ordinance adopted in October allows for building heights up to 15 stories, nine stories higher than the six previously allowed in the city center. To qualify, however, developers must ensure that every unit is income-restricted affordable housing.
This height limit served as a compromise, according to Quinton Zondervan, city councilor.
“I actually wanted to go much higher,” he said, “but there was pushback [within the council]. When you consider the cost of construction, going taller amortizes the costs.”
To help with the new development, the city will dedicate $10 million in tax revenues to the extra housing. While a timeline for the start of the project is uncertain, Zondervan is hopeful this year will see the start of hundreds of new, affordable units.
Berkeley, California
Last fall, Berkeley, California, also changed its zoning laws to allow developers to build taller apartment complexes. The exact heights vary depending on where the apartments are located, but some could increase by as much as 85 feet.
The law goes into effect in March and requires that 20% of housing in these taller buildings be affordable. The changes will come to the neighborhoods near the city’s University of California campus, which sits adjacent to the downtown area.
Multifamily housing will be allowed to reach 12 stories high in the neighborhood, a move designed to add more than 2,500 new units. Much of that housing will go to students, said councilwoman Rashi Kesarwani.
Looking ahead
As the affordable housing crisis rages on in cities across the country, building higher may prove a useful tactic for local officials and developers alike.
Other cities where planners or politicians have considered easing height restrictions in some neighborhoods to make way for affordable housing include Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; Newton, Massachusetts; Alexandria, Virginia; and Charlottesville, Virginia.
“We want to make it as easy as possible to add affordable units,” said Zondervan. “Within urban centers, where buildings are already tall, it doesn’t make sense not to go up.”
While the details of each plan are different and tailored to the specific city’s needs, they share commonality in making use of the air rather than the ground.
“Relaxing zoning standards to allow for taller multifamily housing is one tool in the toolbox,” Kesarwani said. “To solve the affordable housing issue, we need multiple solutions and multiple sources of funding.”
