ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Inclusionary zoning

Inclusionary zoning is like sharing your toys! We all like to play with our toys, but sometimes it's nice to share them with others who don't have as many toys. The same thing can happen with houses and apartments.

When a city or town decides to use inclusionary zoning, it means that people who are building new houses or apartments have to make some of them available to people who might not be able to afford them. This way, everyone can have a safe and comfortable place to live.

For example, let's say a builder wants to build ten new houses in a neighborhood. If the city has an inclusionary zoning policy, the builder might be required to make two of those houses affordable for families who don't make as much money. That way, people who might not be able to afford to live in that neighborhood can also have the chance to live there.

Inclusionary zoning is a way to try and make sure that everyone has a place to live, no matter how much money they make. It's like sharing your toys to make sure everyone has a chance to play!