A rule proposed by the Obama Administration has been criticized for attempting to build an "unrealistic utopia." The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing would require cities to fund affordable housing in a broader spectrum of neighborhoods.
"A final Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule due out this month is aimed at ending decades of deep-rooted segregation around the country," according to Tim Devaney.
"The regulations would use grant money as an incentive for communities to build affordable housing in more affluent areas while also taking steps to upgrade poorer areas with better schools, parks, libraries, grocery stores and transportation routes as part of a gentrification of those communities."
The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule has met staunch resistance from House Republicans, including at a hearing last week of the House Financial Services Committee, where HUD Secretary Julián Castro got an earful. All of this prior to a highly anticipated Supreme Court ruling that will weigh in on the concept of disparate impact in a case accusing the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs of focusing affordable housing in low income areas and thereby perpetuating poverty and lack of socioeconomic mobility.
FULL STORY: Obama making bid to diversify wealthy neighborhoods
Trump Deals a Blow to Fair Housing Rules
The Trump Administration is gutting a key requirement of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule enacted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama Administration.
Why 'Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing' Matters
An interview with a leading academic on the subject of fair housing offers perspective on the new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule created by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Obama Administration Adds New Clout to Fair Housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released the details of the final rule for Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, which will give new strength to the goals set forth by the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
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
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
