Limited equity housing is a type of affordable housing where residents own a portion of the building or land, while the majority is collectively owned by a nonprofit organization or co-op. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [ˈlɪmɪtɪd] [ˈɛkwɪti] [ˈhaʊzɪŋ]. The word "limited" is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and the short "i" sound in the second. "Equity" is pronounced with stress on the second syllable and the short "e" sound in the first. And "housing" is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and a long "o" sound in the second.
Limited equity housing refers to a type of housing cooperative or community that restricts the amount of profit its members can earn from selling their shares or units. It is a form of affordable housing designed to provide long-term affordability and stability to low- and moderate-income households.
In limited equity housing, the equity value or potential profit from the sale of a unit is limited by an agreement or set of rules. This means that when a member sells their unit, they can only recoup a portion of their initial investment or a set percentage of the unit's appreciated value. Any excess profit or appreciation is retained by the cooperative or used to benefit other members or the community.
The primary purpose of limited equity housing is to prevent speculative buying and to maintain the affordability of the units for future residents who may also have low incomes. By implementing restrictions on the resale value, limited equity housing aims to ensure that homes remain affordable over time, even in markets with rising property values.
Limited equity housing can be found in various forms, such as cooperative apartments, condominiums, or housing developments. These projects are often created through public-private partnerships or non-profit organizations, with the intent of providing more affordable homeownership opportunities to individuals or families who may not be able to afford market-rate housing.
Overall, limited equity housing strives to promote stable, affordable communities while offering homeownership opportunities to those with modest incomes.