Inclusionary Housing

This report from the city of Newton examines the city’s housing needs and provides housing strategy recommendations for the city. Strategy 1, Policy Changes, includes a substantial discussion of the city’s existing inclusionary zoning ordinance. It notes that though long-established, the city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance has not been as productive as those of other Massachusetts communities, and that a number of affordable units have been lost over time. It provides some recommendations for potential amendments to the ordinance, including flexible income targets, density bonuses and other cost offsets, flexible affordable housing requirements, credit for excess production, and off-site unit construction.