Today exclusion and isolation based on social class and income levels threaten that diversity. Affordable housing programs attempt to fight this discrimination in two ways. First, the amount and location of rent affordable housing and second, the amount and location of possible ownership. As a result of the lack of new affordable housing construction, low-income households must locate themselves in the slum areas of a city where poverty is high and living conditions are low. By allowing equal development of all levels of income housing an area, local, regional, and state, reach closer to the desired level of quality living.
Rental properties consist of all types of buildings that are leaseable to households.
Of course it is most cost effective for developers to construct housing for middle to high-income residents since they can charge higher rents. As a result, low-income residents must live in substandard quality housing, which tends to be located further away from jobs and causes commuting problems. To effectively promote mixed income developments, localities and states have to move away from the trend of exclusionary zoning. Inclusionary zoning allows the integration of all levels of income and allows for a balance between housing and employment. This is done by allowing equal opportunities to all types of developments.