User:Znachlis/Affordable housing

"Affordable housing by country

Main article: Affordable housing by country

The challenges of promoting affordable housing varies by location."

Different countries and cities throughout the world have found unique ways to respond to the need for affordable housing. In some provinces within China, for example, local governments have instituted "tradable land quotas." These quotas allow developers to construct new housing units at the outer bounds of the city limits, and, in return, land outside of the city is protected from development. On the other hand, in Los Angeles, the city government recently instituted legislation that allows motels to be transformed into affordable housing units, regardless of zoning regulations. In Brussels, an architectural firm was able to repurpose a soap factory, creating affordable housing units that included 1-6 bedroom apartments, studios, lofts, and duplexes. These residential units are also energy-efficient, so have both social and environmental benefit.

One company that has been particularly successful in implementing environmentally friendly practices into the construction of affordable housing is Holcim, a building materials company. Holcim has implemented micro-financing programs and sustainable material sales to support the development of affordable housing in a wide variety of international locations such as Nigeria and Ecuador. Holcim's microfinance programs lend money to individuals building affordable housing who do not have access to extensive financial resources, and thus Holcim's work is incredibly impactful as it supports the creation of affordable housing units that wouldn't otherwise be developed. By collaborating with organizations such as the International Finance Corporation, Holcim provides access to microcredits for affordable housing units in a wide variety of international locations not just limited to Nigeria and Ecuador but also including Ecuador and Serbia. Holcim has also promoted sustainable affordable housing solutions through a diverse range of approaches that vary based on location. In India, Holcim operates "Green Building Centers" which sell "a complete building solution that includes low-carbon fly ash bricks and other cement based building materials." On the other hand, in Nigeria, Holcim delivers pre-built concrete walls and other "ready-mix concrete solutions" to individual worksites in the country.

While innovative building practices have been incredibly successful in countries such as Nigeria and India, cities in more developed countries have found unique ways to increase affordable housing in dense urban areas through partnerships with private developers. For example, in Germany, cities including Berlin and Hamburg have established partnerships with private developers to construct new affordable housing units. In a 2011 agreement, developers in Hamburg agreed to build 3500 new housing units per year and 30% of these units would only be available to low and middle income households. To support the developer's work, Hamburg's city government agreed to provide city-owned land and acquire privately-owned land on which the units would be constructed. Additionally, Hamburg modified urban planning regulations in locations occupied predominantly by low-income individuals to simplify the process of affordable housing construction. On the other hand, in Berlin, the Alliance for Housing Construction, which was established in 2014, brought together Berlin's local government, private landlords, and public utility landlords to make rental units in the city more affordable. Public utility landlords such as non profit organizations agreed to build 3000 new dwellings each year. Between 300 and 1000 of these units would be provided as "non-serviced rents." Additionally, private landlords agreed to construct 6000 units each year, and between 600 and 1200 of these units would be provided as "non-serviced rents." According to a rental agency based in London, non-serviced rents are essentially short-term rental units that can be privately owned and are not always furnished. Thus, "non-serviced rents" can be particularly beneficial to those in dire circumstances who need immediate housing assistance.