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homes; rather, it means that future development should <br />incorporate more housing diversity so that existing and future <br />residents will have sufficient options, from large lot single- <br />family dwellings (e.g., in the Lomax area), to residential above <br />retail lofts, live/work units, and attached living. <br />Lack of affordability is a concern. When there is a lack of <br />affordable housing options available, it increases individual <br />and/or family distress and is considered to have negative <br />effects on a community's overall health. The City recognizes the <br />need to ensure that all of La Porte's residents enjoy access to <br />quality and affordable housing within livable and attractive <br />environments. Maintaining livability as the City transitions to an <br />infill and redevelopment focus will require creativity and a <br />willingness to coordinate efforts. The qualities that make La <br />Porte an attractive place to live are also making La Porte an <br />expensive place to live. Increasing housing prices creates <br />obstacles for low-income households and threatens to push <br />residents to unsatisfactory housing options. The inability to find <br />housing locally poses a hardship for households seeking an <br />affordable home, as well as employers seeking employees. <br />Actions and Initiatives <br />1) Encourage life -cycle housing options in new <br />developments that will offer alternatives to existing and future <br />residents. New development and redevelopment should <br />include more than one housing type, with ordinance provisions <br />for increased open space as separation and buffering and other <br />standards to ensure compatibility. A combination of housing <br />options and lot sizes will result in a diversity of housing choices <br />— choices that will be useful in attracting and keeping singles, <br />younger families, and older residents. <br />2) Consider incorporating accessory dwelling units in the <br />zoning ordinance, along with appropriate provisions governing <br />their use and compatibility. They are common and increasing in <br />popularity in many communities to accommodate elderly <br />parents or relatives (i.e., "granny flats"), young adult family <br />members wanting to live independently but close by, or <br />students in need of basic, low-cost housing. <br />3) Consider adopting design standards for high -density <br />residential development, which may include provisions for <br />building form and scale, articulated building walls, building <br />orientation, architectural detailing, roof types and materials, <br />fagade enhancements, and acceptable building materials, as <br />well as site design standards regarding landscape surface, <br />parking location and arrangement, bufferyards, and site <br />