As Denver developers construct those tall buildings redefining the city’s skyline, they’ll have to add affordable housing components. It’s part of a proposal being floated by Denver City Council President Albus Brooks to help address the city’s ongoing housing crisis.

Brooks’ proposal is called a “height incentive,” Denver7 reports:

Brooks is trying to strike the right balance, and he is using 38th and Blake as his case study for the ambitious idea, telling developers at the RiNo site that if they want to build higher, they’ll have to add affordable housing.

“It’s a good compromise of what we’re trying to see in the city of Denver,” said Brooks.

Under Brooks’ proposal, areas zoned for five stories could build up to 12 or even 16 stories, but only if developers add ten percent affordable housing and at their own cost.

The height incentive is another Denver approach to city residents being squeezed out of their neighborhoods due to a healthy economy, but surging rents and home prices.

However, at least one developer told Denver7 these incremental steps won’t effectively address the affordable housing crisis in the city. Instead, “serious political commitment” is needed.

Denver has launched other programs to help ease the cost of living in Denver, including working with developers who promise to build affordable housing and launching a dedicated affordable housing fund and offering eviction and rent assistance.

A public hearing to discuss the height incentive is scheduled for Feb. 12.