Housing Strategy | ENVISION FRANKLIN 27 middle” options. Local housing policy can also aim to support more homebuyers, especially for low- and moderate-income households. Many communities do this with tools such as down payment assistance programs, public land donation to help lower the cost of housing production, community land trusts, and a variety of public-private partnerships. How much more multifamily is appropriate for Franklin? Current demographic trends are reflecting preferences for smaller homes, choices of rental or owner-occupied units, and homes with mix of uses nearby that can reduce automobile dependence.xvii While some in Franklin are concerned about the growth of multifamily in the community, these units are nonetheless meeting an important market demand. Fortunately, multifamily residential has many types, including duplexes, small-, mid- and large-scale buildings. Identifying multifamily options at a scale that work for Franklin, and adopting policy to support their production, is preferable to simply reducing approvals of multifamily units. Constraining housing supply creates scarcity, increasing housing costs. If employees who work in Franklin must move elsewhere in the region to find a home that meets their needs, they will likely need to commute to Franklin, increasing traffic congestion. Finally, high housing costs and long commutes may mean that employers in Franklin may have harder time finding employees. The best way to determine an apt mix of single-family and multifamily homes is to embrace the production of an ample supply of a wide array of housing types. Planning and zoning that supports more housing choices helps the housing market to align better with demand.
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