Avi Friedman has some ideas of how to make housing more affordable. He says that the focus is too much on the mortgage and subsidies side and not enough on lower building costs.
Friedman was interviewed on Smart City Radio:
"For example, homebuilders can leave sections of finished homes without partitions. This lowers the purchasing price and allows buyers flexibility to expand their living space when they can afford it and when they need it."
"We've become very efficient at building developments - subdivisions - but we failed to know how to build communities," said Friedman."
Thanks to Eric Nusbaum
FULL STORY: Avi Friedman on Affordable and Sustainable Housing Innovations
What Drives the High Cost of Affordable Housing
A combination of ineffective funding mechanisms, strict building regulations, and inflation are pushing per-unit construction costs higher.
World's Largest 3D-Printed Community Planned In Austin
The process aims to reduce labor hours and material waste, dramatically cutting construction costs for new housing.
Construction Costs Holding Steady During Pandemic
It might have been wishful thinking to assume the pandemic would cause big declines in costs for materials and labor in the construction industry.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie