The evidence is in on a cost-effective way to build affordable apartments

There’s a long-running argument in American politics about whether the private sector or public sector is the most cost-effective delivery system for products and services society needs. New evidence reminds us that, when it comes to creating homes affordable to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and individuals with special needs, this is a false choice.

A new study by Abt Associates and analysis by the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) reveals that affordable apartments financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit—commonly referred to as the Housing Credit—cost about the same, on average, to develop as all apartment buildings, despite complying with a host of policy constraints that don’t apply to market-rate developments...

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RSK: This always a tough call. I think the Enterprise Zones are a piece of the puzzle but not the whole.