The rising cost of homeownership has placed affordable for-sale housing at the center of housing policy discussions nationwide. Building homes that middle- and low-income buyers can afford requires more than low prices — it demands thoughtful design, innovative construction methods and navigation through regulatory and financial obstacles. “Affordable by design” is gaining traction as a sustainable solution. Here’s how builders, cities and developers are making it work. Affordable for-sale housing by design means creating homes that are inherently more affordable, not through subsidies or discounts, but through smart planning. This includes building smaller units, simplifying architectural features and using efficient...