Business Law Question

Policy Identification and AnalysisNaxiris Cole
PAD520-Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
Prof. Timothy Smith
07/23/2023
• Introduction
•
Savannah, GA, is facing a critical problem due to a shortage of affordable housing options. A
proposed municipal policy adjustment would encourage and support the development of more affordable
housing options. This essay examines the issue, identifies its risks and problems, outlines potential policy
responses, identifies its key actors and explains their roles, evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of
various funding sources, and concludes on the situation. The proposed policy for affordable housing
construction in Savannah, Georgia, seeks to create a sustainable and inclusive community while addressing
the pressing issue of housing affordability, presenting policy alternatives, considering stakeholder
participation, and navigating funding challenges, among other considerations.
Problem Analysis and Political Conflicts
• Savannah’s lack of affordable housing is a pressing issue that necessitates a
thorough investigation and contemplation of potential political tensions. The
severe problem of insufficient affordable housing harms the city’s welfare and
economy (Yeager, 5). However, residents may need help with neighborhood
changes if regulations are enacted to address this issue, while developers may
worry about profitability and land availability (Ghimire & Skinner, 4). A
comprehensive understanding of the problem and its political dimensions is
essential to devise effective policy.
Risks and Challenges
• Recognizing and mitigating the risks and difficulties associated
with resolving the affordable housing crisis in Savannah is
essential. Existing residents’ opposition is a significant risk, as they
may fear a decline in property value or a change in the
community’s dynamic (Cox, 3). In addition, obstacles include
traversing complex regulatory processes, acquiring an adequate
building site, and ensuring cost-effective implementation (Ghimire
& Skinner, 4). The proposed strategy can be more effective by
identifying and proactively resolving these threats and challenges.
Policy Alternatives and Solutions
• Several policy alternatives and solutions can be considered to address the
affordable housing dilemma. One strategy is encouraging developers to
include affordable housing units in their developments by providing tax
discounts or zoning incentives (Average, 2). Another choice is to create
community land trusts, which can buy and protect land, particularly for
affordable housing development (Cox, 3). Also known as mixed-income
developments, combining affordable housing units within market-rate
complexes can foster economic variety and lessen potential stigma. Lastly,
public-private collaborations can help build affordable homes by leveraging
resources and knowledge (Average, 2). A well-rounded strategy for resolving
the issue is provided by considering various policy possibilities.
Stakeholders and Key Roles
• For effective policy implementation, it is essential to identify the main stakeholders and their
responsibilities. The parties involved in developing affordable housing include local government
representatives, housing advocacy organisations, developers, financial institutions, current homeowners,
and low-income inhabitants (Yeager, 5). City officials are essential in creating, coordinating, and
enforcing policies. Housing advocacy organisations offer knowledge and support for low-income
people’s needs. Affordable housing developments are partly built and funded by developers and
financial institutions. The results of the policy immediately affect low-income residents and current
homeowners (Yeager, 5). For a policy to be implemented successfully, various stakeholders must work
together and be engaged.
Funding Opportunities, Challenges, and Budget Cost Factors
•
Identifying possibilities and overcoming obstacles are necessary for securing sufficient funds for
affordable home construction projects. Potential funding options include federal and state subsidies, lowincome housing tax credits, public-private partnerships, and impact fees (Anacker, 1). However, difficulties
could occur because of a lack of money, competition with other city objectives, and financial limitations.
Considering these and looking into cost-cutting options like using energy-efficient materials or
collaborating with nonprofit groups is crucial (Ghimire & Skinner, 4). The policy can optimize its impact
within the allocated budget by carefully managing financing possibilities and challenges.
Supportive and Evaluative Criteria
•
Setting supporting and evaluating criteria is crucial for determining the program’s effectiveness for
building affordable homes. Examples of supportive measures include the number of affordable housing
units constructed, the units’ accessibility to low-income individuals, the impact on reducing the number of
homeless individuals, and the level of community involvement throughout the process (Ghimire &
Skinner, 4). As evaluative factors, the strategy’s effectiveness in resolving the housing crisis, its impact on
community redevelopment, and the long-term viability of the affordable housing stock may all be
considered (Anacker, 1). The outcomes of the strategy can be appropriately monitored and evaluated by
setting up specific criteria.
Incentives, Subsidies, and Potential Benefits
•
Offering incentives and subsidies to builders can help speed up the production of low-cost homes.
Accelerated permits, density bonuses, and lower impact fees are all examples of stimuli. Beyond
alleviating the housing shortage, there are also possible gains from building more cheap homes (Cox, 3).
They include beneficial economic ripple effects like job creation, increased local spending, and other
positive consequences like economic diversity, lower homelessness rates, more significant social equity,
and more stable neighbourhoods (Ghimire & Skinner, 4). The execution of the policy will be more likely if
the incentives and advantages are acknowledged.
Conclusion
•
The proposed policy on affordable housing construction in Savannah, GA, seeks to
comprehensively address the housing crisis by analyzing the problem, identifying risks and
challenges, developing policy alternatives, engaging stakeholders, exploring funding opportunities,
establishing evaluative criteria, and emphasizing potential benefits. The policy’s overarching goal is
to make the neighborhood more welcoming and fairer. Collaboration, flexibility, and taking into
account the demands of many stakeholders are highlighted as critical takeaways from previous
initiatives of a similar nature. Savannah’s housing shortage can be reduced, and the city’s resilience is
bolstered by careful planning, swift action, and regular assessment.
Sources
1.
Anacker, K. B. (2019). Introduction: Housing Affordability and Affordable Housing. International Journal of Housing
Policy, 19(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19491247.2018.1560544
2.
Average, C. (2019). Low Income Housing Problems and Low-income Housing Solutions: Opportunities and Challenges in
Bulawayo. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 34(3), 927–938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-019-09676-w
3.
Cox, S. (2023). Bonding out the future: Tracing the politics of urban climate finance in Miami, Florida. 1–17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2023.2192941
4.
Ghimire, R., & Skinner, J. (2020). Perceived Reasons for Paying More for Housing in Metro Atlanta: Results from the
2018 Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey. Journal of Urban Affairs, 44(9), 1289–1310.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2020.1814154
5.
Yeager, E. P., Boley, B. B., Woosnam, K. M., & Green, G. T. (2019). Modeling Residents’ Attitudes toward Short-term
Vacation Rentals. Journal of Travel Research, 59(6). https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287519870255
•
Policy Identification and Analysis
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PAD520-Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
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• Introduction
•
Savannah, GA, is facing a critical problem due to a shortage of affordable housing options. A
proposed municipal policy adjustment would encourage and support the development of more affordable
housing options. This essay examines the issue, identifies its risks and problems, outlines potential policy
responses, identifies its key actors and explains their roles, evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of
various funding sources, and concludes on the situation. The proposed policy for affordable housing
construction in Savannah, Georgia, seeks to create a sustainable and inclusive community while addressing
the pressing issue of housing affordability, presenting policy alternatives, considering stakeholder
participation, and navigating funding challenges, among other considerations.
Problem Analysis and Political Conflicts
• Savannah’s lack of affordable housing is a pressing issue that necessitates a
thorough investigation and contemplation of potential political tensions. The
severe problem of insufficient affordable housing harms the city’s welfare and
economy (Yeager, 5). However, residents may need help with neighborhood
changes if regulations are enacted to address this issue, while developers may
worry about profitability and land availability (Ghimire & Skinner, 4). A
comprehensive understanding of the problem and its political dimensions is
essential to devise effective policy.
Risks and Challenges
• Recognizing and mitigating the risks and difficulties associated
with resolving the affordable housing crisis in Savannah is
essential. Existing residents’ opposition is a significant risk, as they
may fear a decline in property value or a change in the
community’s dynamic (Cox, 3). In addition, obstacles include
traversing complex regulatory processes, acquiring an adequate
building site, and ensuring cost-effective implementation (Ghimire
& Skinner, 4). The proposed strategy can be more effective by
identifying and proactively resolving these threats and challenges.
Policy Alternatives and Solutions
• Several policy alternatives and solutions can be considered to address the
affordable housing dilemma. One strategy is encouraging developers to
include affordable housing units in their developments by providing tax
discounts or zoning incentives (Average, 2). Another choice is to create
community land trusts, which can buy and protect land, particularly for
affordable housing development (Cox, 3). Also known as mixed-income
developments, combining affordable housing units within market-rate
complexes can foster economic variety and lessen potential stigma. Lastly,
public-private collaborations can help build affordable homes by leveraging
resources and knowledge (Average, 2). A well-rounded strategy for resolving
the issue is provided by considering various policy possibilities.
Stakeholders and Key Roles
• For effective policy implementation, it is essential to identify the main stakeholders and their
responsibilities. The parties involved in developing affordable housing include local government
representatives, housing advocacy organisations, developers, financial institutions, current homeowners,
and low-income inhabitants (Yeager, 5). City officials are essential in creating, coordinating, and
enforcing policies. Housing advocacy organisations offer knowledge and support for low-income
people’s needs. Affordable housing developments are partly built and funded by developers and
financial institutions. The results of the policy immediately affect low-income residents and current
homeowners (Yeager, 5). For a policy to be implemented successfully, various stakeholders must work
together and be engaged.
Funding Opportunities, Challenges, and Budget Cost Factors
•
Identifying possibilities and overcoming obstacles are necessary for securing sufficient funds for
affordable home construction projects. Potential funding options include federal and state subsidies, lowincome housing tax credits, public-private partnerships, and impact fees (Anacker, 1). However, difficulties
could occur because of a lack of money, competition with other city objectives, and financial limitations.
Considering these and looking into cost-cutting options like using energy-efficient materials or
collaborating with nonprofit groups is crucial (Ghimire & Skinner, 4). The policy can optimize its impact
within the allocated budget by carefully managing financing possibilities and challenges.
Supportive and Evaluative Criteria
•
Setting supporting and evaluating criteria is crucial for determining the program’s effectiveness for
building affordable homes. Examples of supportive measures include the number of affordable housing
units constructed, the units’ accessibility to low-income individuals, the impact on reducing the number of
homeless individuals, and the level of community involvement throughout the process (Ghimire &
Skinner, 4). As evaluative factors, the strategy’s effectiveness in resolving the housing crisis, its impact on
community redevelopment, and the long-term viability of the affordable housing stock may all be
considered (Anacker, 1). The outcomes of the strategy can be appropriately monitored and evaluated by
setting up specific criteria.
Incentives, Subsidies, and Potential Benefits
•
Offering incentives and subsidies to builders can help speed up the production of low-cost homes.
Accelerated permits, density bonuses, and lower impact fees are all examples of stimuli. Beyond
alleviating the housing shortage, there are also possible gains from building more cheap homes (Cox, 3).
They include beneficial economic ripple effects like job creation, increased local spending, and other
positive consequences like economic diversity, lower homelessness rates, more significant social equity,
and more stable neighbourhoods (Ghimire & Skinner, 4). The execution of the policy will be more likely if
the incentives and advantages are acknowledged.
Conclusion
•
The proposed policy on affordable housing construction in Savannah, GA, seeks to
comprehensively address the housing crisis by analyzing the problem, identifying risks and
challenges, developing policy alternatives, engaging stakeholders, exploring funding opportunities,
establishing evaluative criteria, and emphasizing potential benefits. The policy’s overarching goal is
to make the neighborhood more welcoming and fairer. Collaboration, flexibility, and taking into
account the demands of many stakeholders are highlighted as critical takeaways from previous
initiatives of a similar nature. Savannah’s housing shortage can be reduced, and the city’s resilience is
bolstered by careful planning, swift action, and regular assessment.
Sources
1.
Anacker, K. B. (2019). Introduction: Housing Affordability and Affordable Housing. International Journal of Housing
Policy, 19(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19491247.2018.1560544
2.
Average, C. (2019). Low Income Housing Problems and Low-income Housing Solutions: Opportunities and Challenges in
Bulawayo. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 34(3), 927–938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-019-09676-w
3.
Cox, S. (2023). Bonding out the future: Tracing the politics of urban climate finance in Miami, Florida. 1–17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2023.2192941
4.
Ghimire, R., & Skinner, J. (2020). Perceived Reasons for Paying More for Housing in Metro Atlanta: Results from the
2018 Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey. Journal of Urban Affairs, 44(9), 1289–1310.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2020.1814154
5.
Yeager, E. P., Boley, B. B., Woosnam, K. M., & Green, G. T. (2019). Modeling Residents’ Attitudes toward Short-term
Vacation Rentals. Journal of Travel Research, 59(6). https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287519870255
•