This Is Public Housing. Just Don’t Call It That.
A D.C. Suburb Finds a Creative Answer to America’s Housing Shortage The New York Times
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The Laureate: A Model for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Development
Introduction
The Laureate is a unique apartment building in Montgomery County, Maryland that combines affordable housing with modern amenities. Developed by the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (H.O.C.), the Laureate sets aside 30 percent of its units for affordable housing. This innovative approach to housing aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
A New Approach to Affordable Housing
The Laureate stands out as an example of how public and private sectors can collaborate to address the affordable housing crisis. While developed by a for-profit company, the controlling owner is H.O.C., a government agency. This partnership allows the Laureate to offer affordable rents to residents, including those with moderate incomes. For example, Kadiatou Sylla, an administrator at a biotech company, pays $1,700 for a one-bedroom apartment compared to the market rent of $2,200.
Montgomery County’s Housing Innovations
Montgomery County has been a leader in affordable housing innovations for decades. The county’s landmark law requires developers to set aside about 15 percent of units in new projects for households with incomes below two-thirds of the area’s median income. The Laureate goes beyond this requirement by offering even more affordable units. This commitment to affordable housing aligns with SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
The Role of H.O.C.
H.O.C. plays a crucial role in expanding the supply of affordable housing in Montgomery County. As both a public developer and housing finance agency, H.O.C. can sell bonds to finance its own projects and provide lower-cost financing to developers. This approach allows H.O.C. to build and acquire moderate-income units that exist outside federal housing programs. By directly investing in new projects like the Laureate, H.O.C. contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Inclusionary Zoning and Creative Finance
Inclusionary zoning, a policy requiring developers to include affordable units in their projects, has become a staple of many cities’ housing policies. However, Montgomery County has taken it a step further by creating the Housing Production Fund. This fund allows H.O.C. to replace private equity as developers’ main source of investment, resulting in lower costs for developers and more affordable units for residents. This approach supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The Impact on Residents
The Laureate has had a significant impact on its residents, providing them with affordable housing and access to modern amenities. Residents like Kadiatou Sylla, Iryna Skidan, and Hina Khan have been able to find stable housing and improve their quality of life. This aligns with SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
Conclusion
The Laureate serves as a model for affordable housing and sustainable development. By combining public and private resources, Montgomery County has been able to address the affordable housing crisis and provide housing options for a diverse range of residents. This innovative approach aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrates the potential for collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to create more inclusive and sustainable communities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. No Poverty
- Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
- Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
17. Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
- Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) or aid-for-trade initiatives.
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 1.4: Ensuring equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services.
– Target 11.1: Ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services.
– Target 17.17: Promoting effective public-private partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land.
– Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
– Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) or aid-for-trade initiatives.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) or aid-for-trade initiatives. |
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Source: nytimes.com
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