How Vienna Solved the Housing Affordability Problem

eventhousing
Written By Sharon Kirk

March 8, 2023

This event has passed, but you can watch the recording above!

Two Petaluma housing experts will explain why affordable housing is a nearly intractable problem in California, one that has challenged the state for decades.

In contrast, Vienna took a different path to affordable housing a century ago, a path that has resulted in a rich tradition of social housing — government-supported, mixed-income, rent-restricted housing — for many of its residents. A recent study trip to Vienna looked at how social housing is financed, built, and maintained.  We'll watch an excerpted presentation from a SPUR video about the trip to Vienna by California housing experts. (SPUR = San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association.) 

Following the video, our local experts will offer a robust Q&A on the state of affordable housing in Petaluma and if any of the lessons from Vienna can be applied to California.

Related article from The Guardian here (04/30/2024)

Sharon Kirk

Sharon joined Urban Chat in 2017 following a spontaneous meeting with Kevin McDonnell at the Petaluma Engagement Fair (sponsored by PCRC). Her interest in Petaluma city planning stems from her years of living in vibrant, walkable cities including San Francisco and Göteborg, Sweden. Sharon assists with Urban Chat promotional activities and acts as co-chair of the Know Before You Grow educational committee. And despite her hesitation as an introvert, she occasionally hosts events.

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