The pandemic economy has created an unprecedented opportunity to address historic housing supply shortages through adaptive reuse of existing structures into affordable housing. Former commercial, retail, and office space – often located near job centers and transportation hubs – can be ideal opportunities for new housing, but how does this work in practice? What policy levers and financial resources are required to make these projects a reality?
This episode explores the conversion of commercial and retail spaces into affordable housing, highlighting the elements required for successful and common barriers that can hinder adaptive reuse. Panelists discuss the roles of local government, developers, financial institutions, and others in facilitating these conversions, including building codes and zoning requirements, partnerships, creative financing solutions, and the politics of making it all come together.
This episode was previously derived from a webinar sponsored by NeighborWorks® America that has been transformed into a 30-minute podcast. To view the full webinar please visit, https://nhc.org/event/adaptive-reuse-in-post-pandemic-development/.
