NIMBYism is the biggest multifamily construction barrier, according to a National Apartment Association report on apartment construction barriers.
A survey of government entities, as well as private developers and owners, found that most respondents say that citizen opposition to growth (NIMBYism) is a key factor in restricting residential development. Rising land and labor costs are also inhibiting the production of affordable housing, the survey found, with 78% of respondents indicating that construction costs including labor, hard and soft costs have increased by more than 11% in the past five years.
The report covers 58 metro markets including a detailed review of 29 major markets. The study’s index ranked each market according to factors such as community involvement (or NIMBYism), construction costs, affordable housing requirements, infrastructure, density and growth restrictions, land supply, environmental restrictions, process complexity, political complexity, and development time.
Albuquerque was the city with the fewest barriers to apartment construction, while Philadelphia has the most, based on the responses. According to the NAA, the U.S. needs 4.6 million apartments at all price points by the year 2030 to keep up with current demand.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2018
Maryland makes general contractors liable for failure of subs to pay employees
GCs could have to pay for up to three times the wages owed.
Codes and Standards | May 10, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 9, 2018
OSHA and state safety agencies write more than 100 silica citations in 6 months
Actions tending to come with investigation of other site conditions.
Codes and Standards | May 8, 2018
Powerhouse coalition builds energy positive buildings
The goal: build buildings that provide more power than they cost to build, run, and demolish.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2018
Plan advances in Los Angeles for Climate Emergency Mobilization Department
Would oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the city.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 2, 2018
Energy Department releases Updated EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools
The tools can now accept input in epJSON format.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2018
ASHRAE publishes new energy simulation-aided design standard
Requires building energy modeling during schematic design.
Codes and Standards | Apr 30, 2018
CALGreen projects pre-approved for streamlined LEED v4 requirements
Reduces need to run additional energy models.
Codes and Standards | Apr 26, 2018
New standard supports community resilience
ASTM International guidance supports cost-effective ways to withstand and recover from disasters.