One way I have seen some buildings smartly handle this requirement was making most of the bottom floor of the building a parking area. I have seen both garage and open-air versions of this. It definitely has to cost more to build the building this way, but at least you're using the existing space and building upward to add more units instead of wasting space around the building.
While it is indeed stupid, it's also valid because, well... when there isn't any public transit to speak of, these low income people are sadly going to be forced into needing a car.
Lindsey "Ladybugs" Graham!