Live at the Forum Webinar: Tools to Provide Long-Term Affordability near Transit and Other Location-Efficient Areas

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by HousingPolicy.org team on June 20, 2011 at 9:20am

 

Posted on behalf of a webinar participant:

Does anyone know of case studies or data that measure "successful" TOD affordable housing efforts by comparing affordability or number of affordable units before and after the project? (As opposed to focusing ona  target percentage within the development plan)

Permalink Reply by HousingPolicy.org team on June 20, 2011 at 9:23am

Posted on behalf of a webinar participant:

 

In addition to PeopleTrust in Austin, are there any other case studies for communities where a CLT model was utilized along a light rail/commuter rail corridor?

Permalink Reply by Tony Pickett on June 20, 2011 at 3:42pm

Atlanta is currently initiating CLT activity along the Atlanta BeltLine Redevelopment, led by the Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative using a unique hybrid "Central Server" CLT model. The Atlanta BeltLine is a $2.8 billion redevelopment project that upon completion will provide a network of new public parks, multi-use trails and transit along a historic 22-mile, partially abandoned, railroad corridor circling downtown and connecting many existing neighborhoods directly to each other. The ALTC was formed to preserve affordable housing opportunities and mitigate displacement of low and moderate income households living in BeltLine neighborhoods, due to rapidly rising property values anticipated by the redevelopment activity. The ALTC is supporting the creation of multiple new neighborhood based CLTs to engage local leadership in a vision for balanced growth including shared-equity housing along the BeltLine, while simultaneously achieving greater efficiencies of scale, organizational capacity, coordinated policies and access to resources than individual "start up" CLTs. The ALTC is currently working to launch its first 2 new CLT demonstration projects in 2 BeltLine neighborhoods during 2011; one scattered site single family rental, the other new high quality "green" modular for-sale single family infill. See www.beltline.org and the Winter 2010 issue of Shelterforce magazine at www.shelterforce.org/archive/ for more information.

Permalink Reply by HousingPolicy.org team on June 20, 2011 at 9:31am

Posted on behalf of a webinar participant:

How do the respective programs presented in the webinar define "affordable" housing? In other words, what income levels do these programs specifically target?

Permalink Reply by Kelly Weiss on June 30, 2011 at 11:20pm

In Austin, Texas "affordable" housing is defined as 80% of Median Family Income (MFI) or below for homeownership and a max of 60% MFI for rental housing in TODs.  In some areas, targets are set lower to meet the needs of the neighborhood income levels, in order to mitigate gentrification and to reduce the involuntary displacement of current residents who are being "priced out" of the market. "Affordability" is defined as homeowners/renters paying no more than 30% of their income towards housing.  If a homebuyer completes a certified homebuyer education course, up to 35% of income can be spent on housing.

Permalink Reply by HousingPolicy.org team on June 20, 2011 at 9:32am

Posted on behalf of a webinar participant:

Are there any projects that are incorporating walk/bike routes that connect to the stations?

Permalink Reply by Rob Brawner on June 20, 2011 at 3:46pm

The Atlanta BeltLine is a sustainable redevelopment project that will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails, affordable housing, and transit along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling downtown and connecting 45 neighborhoods directly to each other..  www.beltline.org.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Weiss on June 30, 2011 at 11:34pm

The Mueller Airport Redevelopment in Austin, Texas will feature connectivity to the TOD via a hike and bike trail.

Mueller is planned as one of Austin's major transit-oriented developments with Capital Metro bus service and a proposed extension of the Capital Metro Rail system upon voter approval. The pattern and intensity of development is planned in conjunction with a comprehensive program of transit improvements aimed at reducing automobile dependence.

A central transit boulevard offers a corridor for bus, rapid bus and possible future commuter or light rail through the community, which will put the majority of residents and employees—as many as 20,000 people—within a ten-minute walk of the transit system.

Mueller’s parks, trails and open space weave through the community, establishing a native, local ecosystem and bringing outdoor recreation and education options to Mueller residents, employees and neighbors. With 20 percent of the neighborhood dedicated to parkland and open space, every resident will live less than 600 feet away from a community greenspace. Mueller parks are open to the public and are host to several community events annually.  The Mueller park system features:

• Approximately 140 acres of parks, trails and open space
• 5-mile hike and bike trail loop at completetion
• At least 15,000 new trees throughout the development
• Mueller Greenways surround the neighborhood and connects to existing Austin parks including Bartholomew Park, Patterson Park and Morris Williams Golf Course

Mueller’s greenspace will be developed along with the rest of the neighborhood, connecting the many elements of the project as a part of the Mueller vision to create a walkable and sustainable community.