Bring back the boarding house

The Sightline Institute in Seattle has published an e-book that offers three policy recommendations for affordable housing: Re-legalizing rooming or boarding houses; uncapping the number of roommates who may share a dwelling; and welcoming accessory apartments, such as in-law flats or garden cottages. Accessory dwellings such as “in-law flats,” have been promoted by new urbanists since the 1990s — but they are still illegal in many jurisdictions. The other two recommendations are novel in 2013. “Over time, cities have effectively banned what used to be the bottom end of the private housing market,” says author Alan Durning. “By striking a few lines from city law books, we can—at no cost to the public—revive inexpensive housing in walkable neighborhoods.” For more information on getting Unlocking Home: Three Keys to Affordable Communities, click here.