Density, Housing Types and Mixed Land Use: Smart Tools for Affordable Housing?

• Published in: Urban studies (Edinburgh, Scotland) Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 1015 - 1036
• Main Author: Aurand, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.05.2010; Longman Group; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Affordable housing; America; Bgi / Prodig; Homes; Households; Housing; Housing demand; Land use; Low income groups; Neighborhoods; Pacific; Regions; Rental property; Smart growth; Supply; United States of America; Urban areas; Urban density; Oregon; Seattle; Washington State; United States of America; Urban growth; Urban policy; Household; Neighbourhood; Urban density; Housing; Stock of real estate; Land use; Rent
• ISSN: 0042-0980; 1360-063X
• DOI: 10.1177/0042098009353076

Smart growth proponents suggest that the housing needs of low-income households can be better met by neighbourhoods of greater density, a greater variety of housing types and mixed land use than by neighbourhoods dominated by low-density, single-family homes. This research tests these relationships in two regions: one with and one without urban containment policies. The research provides evidence that neighbourhoods with a greater variety of housing types and residential density have a greater quantity of units affordable to very low-income renters and, at the same time, a greater quantity of units that are not affordable. An implication of the findings is that planners and growth management advocates should specify goals of housing types, in addition to density targets, when creating or updating comprehensive plans for future growth.