Shaun Donovan wants HUD to catalyze shifts in American urban planning, one community at a time. A look at the optimistic HUD secretary, who has been given the task of fixing the housing market—and making over a broken government agency.
"He wants to give consumers as much information about future utility bills as they could learn about a car's fuel efficiency. He's teaming up with Energy Secretary Steven Chu to figure out how residential carbon emissions--which account for a fifth of such output in the U.S.--can be curbed. Still, he says, carbon bigfoots need not fret. 'This isn't about the federal government telling people how to live.'
For now, his ambitious designs will have to wait.
As the new HUD chieftain, Donovan is at the center of the government's efforts to revive the ailing housing market. Working with fellow technocrat Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other regulators, he helped shape the president's recently launched $275 billion mortgage plan to curb foreclosures. Unlike his predecessors, Donovan has a seat at frequent White House economic round tables alongside Geithner and economic guru Larry Summers."
FULL STORY: Can This Man Fix The Housing Market?
Judge Blocks Anti-DEI Rules for Transportation, Housing Grants
A second injunction blocks the Trump administration from enforcing new regulations for federal funding.
Trump's “Able Bodied” Public Housing Limits Could Displace Over 300,000 New Yorkers
As part of 43% cut to federal rental assistance, Trump is proposing a two-year limit on public housing tenure for “able bodied adults.”
$5 Billion Rental Assistance Fund Set to Run Out of Cash
“No additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming,” HUD announces.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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