Housing

Miami Temperature

Miami Sues Banks Over Housing Collapse

Miami’s city government hopes to get some financial compensation from banks for the hardship the city endured during the foreclosure crisis.

November 10, 2016 - The Washington Post

Sacramento

California's Rental Housing Crisis Has Come to the Capital

The state capital of California is starting to see rents that would fit in around San Francisco or Los Angeles. Although explanations are scant, some are blaming the stagnant multi-family development industry.

November 8, 2016 - The Sacramento Bee

Vancouver Skyline

Vancouver Home Sales Nosedive After Foreign Buyer Restrictions Take Effect

A new tax on foreign buyers and a threatened tax on vacant homes have contributed to a significant drop in home sales in October.

November 8, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Tenants' Rights

Policy Ideas That Support Renters

Renters can't access the tax breaks afforded to home buyers, like the mortgage interest tax deduction, so a Terner Center for Housing Innovation paper looks at policies that could put renters on a more even footing with home buyers.

November 8, 2016 - Next City

Good for the Planet—and the Real Estate Industry?

Climate change is the new reality, and building owners and developers that want to remain in business need to adapt. So says a recent Urban Land Institute (ULI) report that calls last year's Paris agreement "a potential game changer."

November 7, 2016 - Doggerel

Little Free Library

Chicago to Co-Locate Libraries and Public Housing

The city wants both public uses to be housed in "eye-catching works of architecture."

November 7, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Kids

Does Suburbia Promote Fertility?

In Joel Kotkin's new book The Human City, he argues that suburbanization promotes higher birthrates. But this policy doesn't seem to have worked so far.

November 7, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

D.C. Raises Taxes on Vacant and Blighted Properties

It got more expensive to neglect properties in Washington, D.C. this week.

November 6, 2016 - Washington City Paper

PCH Santa Monica

Santa Monica Ordinance Would Require Net-Zero Energy Standards for New Homes

Santa Monica is the first city in California to adopt an ordinance requiring new single-family homes be built to net-zero energy standards.

November 5, 2016 - Construction Dive

Portland

Report: Portland's Proposed Residential Infill Policies Could Slow Infill Development

Portland is expecting 123,000 new households in the city by 2035, so it's proposed a new residential infill policy to accommodate all those people. A new report argues, however, that the policy could have a chilling effect on infill development.

November 3, 2016 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Homeless

Building Tiny Homes for Detroit's Homeless

Detroit plans to build 300 tiny homes on empty lots to help shelter the city's homeless.

November 1, 2016 - Christian Science Monitor

For Rent

Landlords Recoil from Property Data Websites

An apartment-hunting website that highlights landlords' credibility has not earned their cooperation.

October 31, 2016 - New York Times

Section 8 Kids

Study: Children Benefit From Public Housing

New research challenges prevailing wisdom on the best kind of housing assistance.

October 31, 2016 - The Washington Post

Parkchester

Affordable Living in The Bronx

A look at Parkchester, one of four planned communities built by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York City, circa 1940s. The complex includes over 12,000 rental and ownership apartments, located near the #6 subway.

October 29, 2016 - The New York Times

Bradenton Florida

The Genesis of a Medium-Sized City's Affordable Housing Strategy

Bradenton, a medium-sized city on the Gulf Coast of Florida, offers a case study in affordable housing policy.

October 29, 2016 - Bradenton Herald

Facebook Ads Haven't Figured Out the Fair Housing Act

Facebook's advertising platform might run afoul of the Fair Housing Act of 1968—a reminder of the risks as new business models gain traction on the Internet.

October 28, 2016 - ProPublica

Toronto Skyline B&W

Help Wanted: Canadian Cities Turn to the Federal Government for Affordable Housing

An organization representing Canadian cities is asking for $12.7 billion to respond to rising housing costs.

October 28, 2016 - Next City

Front Porch

Vancouver May Fast-Track Modular Laneway Homes

The city of Vancouver has emerged as a leader in "laneway" housing: secondary units built onto existing lots, often facing an alleyway. To boost supply, the city may expedite permitting for modular units.

October 27, 2016 - Vancouver Sun

Three-Car Garage

Garage Construction Continues to Outpace Apartment Construction

New data reveal the U.S. housing industry's preference for garages for cars over apartments for people.

October 27, 2016 - Bloomberg

Albany

Are States Too Active or Not Active Enough? Yes.

State governments like to limit local taxing authority but not local zoning—maybe they should do the exact opposite.

October 26, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.