Residential Development and Hierarchical Governance: Multifamily Housing and Multilevel Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates factors that influence multifamily housing zoning from a hierarchical governance perspective. Local zoning is a product of interactive processes among various stakeholders and of local politics. Since local zoning represents community interests in land development and has an exclusionary characteristic, multifamily housing zoning is controversial in some localities. We hypothesize that a hierarchical governance structure influences the supply of local multifamily housing zoning. The result of a hierarchical generalized linear model shows evidence that state smart growth reform and state intervention in local land use are positively associated with the establishment of local multifamily housing zoning. The decisions are also affected by local factors such as the supply of land, density restrictions, cost of new infrastructure, and city budget constraints. This study concludes that state authority and smart growth reform make it possible for local governments to commit to multifamily housing zoning to achieve housing affordability and high-density development.