NRP Group’s Executive Vice President of Development, Aaron Pechota, sat down with us to discuss the challenges inherent with developing more affordable housing. In this second of a two-part interview, we addressed topics such as NIMBYism and zoning or entitlements playing into affordable housing development or renovation.
Aaron Pechota shared that there are some municipalities that have seen a lot more multifamily development in recent years due to population growth and mass migration; however single-family homes and market-rate rentals are being built at higher rates than workforce and affordable housing. The zoning process is long either way because of community interests but can take up to three years for approval depending on the municipality’s understanding economic growth means an increased need for additional housing options.
When asked how NRP gets around these issues, Aaron explained that there is a lot of community collaboration in the world of affordable housing since it is highly localized; forming relationships with policymakers while listening to what communities needs are helps ensure communication remains open between both parties while providing feedback based on expertise from other regions where successful deals have been made previously helps bridge any gaps in knowledge when necessary.
The federal government has done much within recent years towards providing resources which increase production levels for affording living spaces yet cost increases over time along with added strings attached by local state & federal regulations make it increasingly complex & inefficient – leading potentially lead displaced families & homelessness if not properly addressed soon enough according to Aaron Pechota who believes rents will continue escalating significantly unless something changes soon across all cities nationwide facing critical shortages when it comes available affording living space solutions .
