Regulatory Barriers Database

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1.  City of Dallas Mayor's Task Force on Affordable Workforce Housing

Location(s):	Texas
	Texas	Dallas

Highlights

			Dallas has stringent tree mitigation policy which makes some affordable housing deals economically infeasible.
			Dallas should modify its tree mitigation policy to facilitate the production of workforce housing.

2.  Dennis Housing Corp. vs Zoning Board of Appeals of Dennis et. Al.

Location(s):	Massachusetts	Dennis

Highlights

			The Dennis, Massachusetts Board of Zoning Appeals and the historic committee argued that the committee was not subject to the state’s streamlined permitting law.
			The Supreme Judicial Court said that streamlined permitting process did restrict local historic regulatory committees.

3.  Reducing Housing Costs Through Regulatory Reform: A Handbook for Colorado Communities

Location(s):	Colorado

Highlights

			The authors argue that state and local resource protection statutes increase the cost of affordable housing.
			The authors suggest that local governments consider flexible development standards and the transfer of development rights to reduce the impact of these statutes on the cost of housing.

4.  Affordable Housing Project Could Test County Regs

Location(s):	Delaware	Sussex

Highlights

			There is implicit recognition that environmental regulations can be excessive and may discourage affordable housing development.
			This article discusses a proposed affordable housing development that will be designed to preserve open space while providing lower-cost housing.

5.  Regulations and Housing Development: What We Know

Location(s):	NATIONAL

Highlights

			This article indicates that environmental regulations may be a deterrent to the development of affordable housing.
			This article observes that some states exempt affordable housing projects from environmental requirements.

6.  Historic Preservation and Affordable Housing: Leveraging Old Resources for New Opportunities

Location(s):	NATIONAL

Highlights

			Current historic preservation regulations can limit the development of affordable housing.
			The authors suggest creating a tiered system of historical significance to allow more flexibility when rehabilitating a historic structure and better distribute funding.

7.  City Lead Paint Legislation: Good Intentions Could Go Amiss

Location(s):	New York	New York City

Highlights

			Lead legislation could increase the costs and limit the units of affordable housing in New York City.

8.  Energy: California Alternative Rates for Energy Program

Location(s):	California

Highlights

			Regulations do not exist that would extend utility discounts to low-income, master-metered housing.
			The state should expand the California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) program, so that low-income households without individual meters can also benefit.

9.  Putting the Pieces Together: State Actions to Encourage Smart Growth Practices in California

Location(s):	California

Highlights

			California Environmental Quality Act reviews can be time-consuming and redundant.
			The Act should be changed to allow expedited review for infill development.

10.  Reducing the Cost of New Housing Construction in New York City 2005 Update

Location(s):	New York	New York City

Highlights

			The authors say that state discretionary environmental reviews can add substantially to the cost of development.
			The authors suggest increasing the minimum number of units to which regulations would apply and creating an expedited process for resolving challenges.