Minneapolis Hesitating to Enact IZ because of Portland’s Example

The city of Minneapolis is considering an inclusionary zoning policy, but the recent news about the program in Portland is causing city leaders to hesitate. The MinnPost published an article detailing the city’s history with inclusionary housing, as well as important takeaways from programs in other cities, including Portland. Meanwhile, economist Joe Cortwright points out in City Observatory that in 2016, Minneapolis was cited as one of the cities with an IZ policy that Portland could replicate. In fact, at that time the city only had a voluntary density bonus for developers who chose to include affordable housing units. Similarly, New York’s so-called “mandatory” program only applies if developers seek up-zoning. Read more.