The challenge
New suburban development was producing homes only wealthier families could afford.
The case
In 1974 Montgomery County, Maryland, became one of the first places in the US to require that larger new housing developments set aside a share of homes, now 12.5–15%, as Moderately Priced Dwelling Units, in exchange for permission to build more. The program has produced well over 15,000 affordable homes spread through affluent neighborhoods, and the county's housing authority buys some to rent to low-income families. A study found children in public housing who attended low-poverty schools through this program did better in math and reading.
Why it worked
Tying affordability requirements to a density bonus made them workable for developers. Spreading affordable homes across the county gave poor families access to strong schools.
Sources
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