The Los Angeles Housing Department and its director, Mercedes Marquez, take a thorough, systematic approach to protecting renters and helping find and develop properties for workforce housing.
"In perhaps the tightest real estate market in the region’' history, the L.A. Housing Department pursues the dual mission of regulating the city's rental properties while promoting the development of affordable and workforce housing.
LAHD Director Mercedes Marquez has led, since 2004, award-winning reforms to clarify the department’s mission, streamline its internal operations, and collaborate with other city agencies that have a stake in the city's development. The Planning Report interviews Ms. Marquez about her accomplishments thus far and the city's housing goals under Mayor Villaraigosa."
Thanks to David Abel
FULL STORY: Marquez Pursues Ambitious Agenda at L.A. Housing Dept.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont