Mixed-Income Housing
Definition
Developments intentionally including units for various income levels—market-rate, moderate-income, and low-income—in same building or community. Promotes economic integration, reduces concentrated poverty, and cross-subsidizes affordable units.
Louisville Context
Louisville housing segregates by income: public housing concentrates poverty while affluent neighborhoods exclude affordable units. Mixed-income housing, required through inclusionary zoning and incentivized through tax credits, creates economically diverse communities. Research shows: better outcomes for low-income families (school quality, networks, opportunities), stable neighborhoods, reduced stigma. Model: 30% market-rate, 40% moderate-income, 30% low-income.
Why It Matters
Concentrated poverty creates intergenerational disadvantage—schools struggle, crime increases, opportunities vanish. Mixed-income housing provides low-income families access to opportunity-rich neighborhoods while maintaining affordability. Economic diversity strengthens communities.
Dave’s Proposal
Promote mixed-income housing through inclusionary zoning requirements, tax incentives for developers, and redevelopment of distressed public housing as mixed-income communities maintaining affordable units.