Henry Cisneros Offers Housing Strategies For Seattle

The former HUD secretary urges the Emerald City to make efficient use of land and increase densities, while advocating for the introduction of tax-increment financing and inclusionary zoning.

1 minute read

April 18, 2007, 2:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

"Seattle is a very special city that has garnered 'the best' status numerous times. But, like cities all across the country, it has a housing crisis. Fewer than 50 percent of Seattle's workers live in the city, leading to many other urban problems. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is right in calling the lack of affordable housing in Seattle and elsewhere a 'silent epidemic.'

"With respect to making sites available, revising zoning policies changes the capacity of the land by increasing allowable densities and reducing minimum lot size. In the Williamsburg section of New York City, 10,000 homes were built; 3,500 were affordable through this strategy.

We are in a new time, with new imperatives, and it is worth looking at zoning with a fresh eye."

FULL STORY: Exploring strategies to solve housing crunch

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Housing Washington

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.