This page last reviewed April 20, 2021

AHSC Quantification Methodology: Central Business District Map

This tool is a complement to the Quantification Methodology for the Strategic Growth Council Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. CARB developed this tool to provide a consistent approach for all applicants to measure the distance from a proposed affordable housing development to the nearest central business district, defined for the purposes of the AHSC Quantification Methodology as a Census tract with at least 5,000 jobs per square mile, using 2018 US Census data. This threshold is similar to definitions from other studies. On this map, central business districts are depicted as Census tracts shaded in blue.

The AHSC Quantification Methodology uses the distance to central business district as an input to estimate reductions in passenger vehicle miles traveled. The distance to the nearest central business district is the shortest mileage by auto from the proposed affordable housing development to the closest point on the perimeter of the central business district. If the proposed affordable housing development is within a central business district, the distance is 0 miles.

Measuring Distance to Central Business District

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To calculate the driving distance between a proposed affordable housing development and the nearest central business district, follow these steps:

1. Enter the address of the proposed affordable housing development into the search bar and click "Search."
2. Right-click on the map at the location of the proposed affordable housing development and select "Directions from here."
   Note: The pin from the address search cannot be used for directions; a separate pin must be dropped.
3. Find the nearest central business district, right-click on the perimeter, and select "Directions to here."
   Note: Central business districts are highlighted in blue.
4. Once both points are set, right-click anywhere on the map and select "Get Directions."
5. If needed, adjust the route by dragging the end pin to find the shortest distance between the proposed affordable housing development and the central business district. The end pin must be within or at the boundary of a central business district.
6. Enter the total route distance, in miles, in the AHSC Benefits Calculator Tool as "Distance to Central Business District" on the Affordable Housing Inputs tab.
7. Take a screenshot of the map showing the address, start and end pins, and total route distance. Submit the screenshot as supporting documentation for the completed AHSC Benefits Calculator Tool.
8. To reset, right-click anywhere on the map and select "Clear Directions."

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