Attainable Housing Goals for Troy

The City's Comprehensive Plan provides direction for housing goals

Today, this publication is spending time talking about one of the most critical topics facing the community, which is attainable housing. This topic has been given plenty of attention by American Structurepoint, as they are currently creating the city’s new Comprehensive Plan and to their credit, they are introducing a new term, “attainable housing”.

The term is critical as it changes the language on this topic. The language most people understand in this topic is “affordable housing”. However, that language is largely fraught with a sense of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) as it opens the door for housing that is not attractive for most residents.

The term “attainable housing” better describes some of the issues many families - including younger families - are having in making a home in this community. Housing costs appear to be exponentially growing, and relatively higher interest rates are locking people out of the housing market. New ideas and new strategies are needed to help younger families make roots in the community in order for our community to grow.

Attainable housing should be an over reaching goal and should reflect the city's commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to affordable and diverse housing options. The city’s draft Comprehensive Plan outlines two primary strategies for enhancing housing attainability: accommodating all housing types and densities, and collaborating with partner agencies and local businesses to support housing initiatives. These strategies aim to address current housing shortages, promote economic diversity, and improve overall quality of life.

Accommodating All Housing Types and Densities

The first strategy emphasizes the importance of accommodating a variety of housing types and densities to meet the diverse needs of Troy's residents. This approach involves refining zoning and building regulations, including standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and working with the development community to create mixed-use developments. It also involves monitoring the pace of new housing development to ensure that it provides adequate amenities, trail connections, and park space.

Zoning and Building Regulation Refinements: To accommodate diverse housing types, Troy must refine its zoning and building regulations. This includes updating codes to allow for a broader range of housing options, such as duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and apartments. By increasing the flexibility of zoning laws, the city can encourage the development of both high-density and low-density housing, catering to various income levels and family sizes. These changes will make it easier for developers to create affordable housing units, thereby increasing the overall housing stock.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Incorporating standards for ADUs is another crucial aspect of this strategy. ADUs are smaller, secondary residences on the same lot as a primary home, such as a converted garage or a detached unit. They provide affordable housing options for individuals or small families and can generate additional income for homeowners. By including ADU standards in zoning regulations, Troy can promote the construction of these units, thereby increasing the availability of affordable housing.

Mixed-Use Developments: Working with the development community to create mixed-use character class developments is essential for fostering vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Mixed-use developments combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, creating a dynamic urban environment. This type of development encourages higher density housing and provides residents with easy access to amenities and services, reducing the need for car travel and enhancing the overall quality of life.

Monitoring Housing Development: Ensuring that the pace of new housing development is monitored and provides more amenities, trail connections, and park space is vital for maintaining a balanced and sustainable growth. By carefully managing the development process, the city can prevent overdevelopment and ensure that new housing projects contribute positively to the community's infrastructure and recreational opportunities.

Collaborating with Partner Agencies and Local Businesses

The second strategy focuses on collaborating with partner agencies and local businesses to support housing initiatives. This involves reaching out to existing employers about creating an Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) program, exploring opportunities to purchase properties through a land bank, and considering the creation of a housing land trust.

Employer Assisted Housing Program: An EAH program is designed to help employees find affordable housing close to their workplace. By partnering with local businesses, the city can encourage employers to offer down payment assistance, rental subsidies, or other housing benefits to their employees. This not only helps workers find affordable housing but also enhances employee retention and reduces commute times, contributing to a more stable and satisfied workforce.

Land Bank: Exploring opportunities to purchase properties through a land bank can help Troy address vacant or underutilized properties. A land bank is a public authority that acquires, manages, and repurposes vacant land and buildings. By purchasing these properties, the city can rehabilitate them or construct new infill housing units, increasing the availability of affordable housing and revitalizing neglected areas.

Housing Land Trust: Creating a housing land trust is another innovative approach to ensuring long-term housing affordability. A land trust acquires and holds land to benefit the community and ensure that housing remains affordable for future generations. Homes built on land trust properties are sold at below-market rates, and resale restrictions ensure that the properties remain affordable over time. This model helps stabilize neighborhoods and provides lasting affordable housing solutions.

Potential Ramifications for the Community

The implementation of these attainable housing strategies is likely to have significant positive impacts on the Troy community. By accommodating diverse housing types and densities, the city can ensure that housing options are available for people of all income levels and family sizes. This inclusivity can attract a broader demographic to Troy, fostering economic diversity and vitality, and promote the city’s future growth.

Economic Diversity and Growth: A diverse housing stock supports a diverse workforce, which is essential for economic growth. By providing affordable housing options, Troy can attract and retain workers in various sectors, from service industries to professional fields. This economic diversity can lead to a more resilient local economy, capable of withstanding economic fluctuations.

Enhanced Quality of Life: Improving housing attainability enhances the overall quality of life for residents. Mixed-use developments and ADUs create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods with easy access to amenities, reducing the need for long commutes and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, new parks, trails, and recreational spaces associated with housing developments contribute to a more enjoyable living environment.

Community Stability and Revitalization: Collaborating with partner agencies and local businesses on housing initiatives can lead to greater community stability and revitalization. EAH programs help employees live closer to work, reducing commute times and fostering stronger community ties. Land banks and housing land trusts can transform vacant or underutilized properties into valuable community assets, revitalizing neighborhoods and increasing property values.

Long-Term Affordability: Creating lasting affordable housing solutions through land trusts ensures that housing remains accessible to future generations. This long-term approach can prevent displacement and gentrification, maintaining the social fabric of the community.

In conclusion, the attainable housing strategies outlined in the Troy Comprehensive Plan are designed to address the diverse housing needs of the community, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents. By accommodating various housing types and densities and collaborating with partner agencies and local businesses, Troy can create a more inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable community. The positive ramifications of these strategies will be felt across the city, fostering a resilient and thriving urban environment.

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