PD&R Edge Elist 07/02/2013

New on The Edge

Message from Senior Leadership:
Housing Discrimination Research
In the past month, HUD has released two important studies of housing discrimination based on race and ethnicity and sexual orientation. Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary Todd M. Richardson discusses the findings of these studies and progress since the signing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.

In Practice:
Green Roof at Gray’s Landing
An affordable housing development in Portland, Oregon is home to one of the city’s largest living rooftops. Gray’s Landing is home to a 29,000 square feet of vegetation and a solar array in achieving a LEED Platinum certification and providing 219 units of affordable housing in Portland’s emerging South Waterfront.

Research:
Subtle Forms of Discrimination Still Exist for Minority Homeseekers
HUD recently released its decennial study of housing discrimination in rental and sales markets, Housing Discrimination Against Racial and Ethnic Minorities 2012. The study estimates discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities compared with white homeseekers and explores variation in discrimination and unequal treatment of minorities in specific metropolitan areas. The research plays an important role in efforts to combat housing discrimination by HUD and local fair housing organizations.

Policy Update:
Inclusionary Zoning and Mixed-Income Communities
In an effort to address the need for affordable housing and encourage the development of mixed-income communities, hundreds of jurisdictions have adopted inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies that vary greatly in how they are structured. An in-depth look at IZ programs in New York City and Chicago indicates that inclusionary zoning has the potential to produce affordable housing and create socially and economically integrated communities, especially in markets where housing demand is high.