The Revitalist

Two articles from the DC area elaborate on the affordable (or attainable) housing issue.

The Washington Post has an op-ed about the affordability crisis in Fairfax Co., Virginia. The obvious answer to affordability for middle-income families in inner-ring suburbs is density. The article mentions that there have been one or two developments in that direction, but the problem of exclusionary zoning in suburban communities remains. Seems to me that this issue will remain as long as the local zoning boards continue to be distracted from the forest by the trees. I wouldn't suggest that the state get directly involved, but perhaps it could provide technical assistance and incentives to help the locals pull back and look at the bigger picture.

The Baltimore Sun reports on incentives being offered by home builders to entice new buyers and even those who had pre-ordered and are now backing out. The incentives include "Make Us an Offer We Can't Refuse," gas and electricity credits, prepaid gasoline cards, and credits against closing costs. Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Maryland gets the prize for the most colorful analogy of the day: "Builders are working through the inventory they have. It's like the snake that swallowed the pig. Once they get the inventory through their system, things will even out."