In efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing, a new California state law will make the construction of granny units easier.
"The law no longer gives neighbors the right to object to the construction of small apartments known as granny units, although cities can still impose other restrictions....Whether the statewide push will spur the creation of more affordable housing remains unclear, since there is no guarantee that new granny units would offer low rents or be leased at all. But one thing is certain: The shift can polarize residents, who argue about whether it will destroy the character of their single-family neighborhoods....State housing officials believe more granny units would help reduce the state's housing shortage without increasing sprawl, as well as provide homeowners who are having trouble paying the mortgage with enough money to stay in their neighborhoods."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Need for housing softens zoning laws
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.