A Pattern Language for Housing Affordability
this article is part of the collection / book in progress, Village Buildings.
<- Previous article Table of Contents Next article ->
"A pattern language is a method of describing good design practices or patterns of useful organization within a field of expertise. The term was coined by architect Christopher Alexander and popularized by his 1977 book A Pattern Language." -
Land-use reform
(including building regulations reform)
1970s-present
Mobility improvement
Financial reform & innovation
Tax preferences/incentives for affordable & non-profit housing.
Bonding methods.
Social Impact Bonds.
Cooperative financing/development. (cf German regulations facilitating).
Non-profit & Public housing; use of public land
[Bond and General funding - local/state. i.e., just tax ourselves more. (the "public option")].
Vouchers & direct subsidy: local, state, and/or Federal
a 'choice' strategy.
[Bond and General funding - local/state. i.e., just tax ourselves more. (the "public option")]
Mixed-income housing
public or private developed, e.g. Vanport, Headwaters, Aloha Park
Rent regulation
Oregon passes nation's 1st statewide rent control in 2019.
Inclusionary housing
mandated, incented, or purchased. Example of Pearl District.
Lot division & 'condoization'
Portland lot-division / narrow lots program.
Eli Spevak / Orange Splot projects; Pocket Neighborhoods, Villages: Ross Chapin, Cully Grove, SquareOne.
Sharing / Congregate housing
SRO, co-housing, co-living.
Cooperative housing
Emerald Village.
Accessory Dwellings
Self-, startup-, or public-financed. "Backdoor revolution."
Cully Land Trust, Emerald Village
Privately-developed affordable housing
built w/out subsidy. Guerrilla Development, Justus / Home First.
Interim, mobile, or redeployable housing
POD, PAD Initiatives, Opportunity Village, OR Tiny House Code.
Alternative design & technologies
modular, manufactured, pre-fab, etc.
Informal, self-build, & incremental housing
Abundant, or "Naturally occurring affordable" housing
Housing for all.