Which policy promotes inclusive cities in housing markets?

• A. Affordable housing mandates
• B. Inclusionary zoning
• C. Rent controls
• D. Anti-displacement measures

Answer: (B)

Inclusionary zoning promotes inclusive cities by tying affordability to new housing development. It requires or incentivizes developers to include a share of affordable homes within market-rate projects or to contribute to affordable housing funds, integrating lower- and higher-income residents within the same neighborhoods. This approach creates mixed-income communities, expands access to high-opportunity areas with good transit and services, and helps reduce income-based segregation over time.

Other policies address different angles: affordable housing mandates focus on ensuring a certain amount of affordable units but aren’t always tied to new market-rate development in a way that blends incomes; rent controls cap rents on existing units and can unintentionally dampen new supply; anti-displacement measures protect current residents from being pushed out but don’t necessarily ensure affordable units are built within the evolving market. Inclusionary zoning directly links new building growth with accessible housing for a broader range of residents, which is why it best promotes inclusive cities.