When the number of households matches the number of jobs within a region, the length of commute trips will be reduced. Shorter distances can also encourage mode shifts towards alternative modes of transportation. Matching housing to the job qualifications, and vice versa, can improve the efficacy of the measure.
Improving the jobs to housing balance can reduce the distance needed to travel from home to work. Reduced distances can also decrease the reliance on Single Occupancy Vehicles and increase the likelihood of alternative modes of transportation. While there is not currently a CAPCOA quantification method, peer reviewed research proposes elasticities between VMT reduction and percent improvement of job to housing.
Increasing residential and employment density can raise equity concerns such as displacement, gentrification, and uneven distribution of benefits—particularly when low-income or historically marginalized communities bear the brunt of change while wealthier areas resist zoning reforms. Improving the housing balance does not guarantee the available jobs will match the qualifications of residents. Ensure that job availability matches the qualifications of nearby households, and vice versa.
While it costs more to build more square footage and housing, increasing the density of a project generally yields a greater profit return. It costs municipality staff time to review projects with greater density and to update zoning codes. Grant resources from the state, such as the Regional Early Action Planning grants have funded zoning updates to allow for greater density and infill development. Other funding sources include the Community Development Block Grant (U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development), the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (California Department of Housing and Community Development), the Multifamily Finance Super NOFA (California Department of Housing and Community Development), and the California Recycle Underutilized Sites Program (California Pollution Control Financing Authority).
California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Jobs-Housing Balance Incentive Grants
In 2001, HCD awarded applicants who produced residential permits in employment demand areas.
