How New York’s Next Mayor Can Shape Land Use and Planning: Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary housing (or “inclusionary zoning”) is an important and popular tool used by many cities, including New York City, to produce long-term affordable housing. Inclusionary housing programs encourage or require certain new housing developments to include a certain share of below-market-rate units. New York City currently operates two inclusionary housing programs. Each program plays a role in the city’s broader affordable housing strategy and many policy proposals call for reforming these programs to better promote affordability. The next mayor will have to assess what is working with inclusionary housing, what is not, and how to build on and adjust them moving forward.