Freedom of choice! Building compact, inexpensive housing in walkable urban neighbourhoods gives people the freedom to choose affordability. Not everybody will choose those options, some people will spend more on their homes and vehicles than necessary for comfort or status sake, but everybody benefits if affordable options are available for families that want them.
More affordable housing and transportation provide direct savings and benefits to pensioners, students, low-wage workers, people with disabilities, families with children, artists, and anybody who values financial freedom benefits directly. It also provides indirect benefits for existing residents, businesses and governments from reduced vehicle travel and sprawl.
Neighbours benefit because residents of such housing tend to own fewer cars and drive less, and so generate less traffic and parking congestion, risk of accident and pollution emissions than they would living in sprawled, automobile-dependent areas. More affordable urban housing helps local businesses by expanding their pool of potential employees. The table below summarizes various benefits from increased affordability, reduced automobile traffic and reduced sprawl.
Urban Affordability Benefits
Compared with unaffordable or sprawled housing, affordable housing located in walkable urban neighbourhoods provides numerous benefits.
Affordable infill provides housing that residents, their family members, or friends may want someday in the future. It supports “aging in place,” which means that current residents can continue living in their community when they downsize.