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.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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