Faced with increasing numbers of residents more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs, the mayor of New Orleans has announced his intentions to build or preserve 7,500 affordable units by 2021.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced a new affordable housing plan during the annual "State of City" address this week.
"According to the plan, the city will 'build or preserve' 7,500 affordable housing units by 2021 — with 4,000 units available by 2018, followed by an additional 3,500 units," reports Alex Woodward. To do so, "the city will 'leverage' city-owned property and other public land for affordable housing by reserving tax-adjudicated properties in 'target neighborhoods,' and by increasing its use of 'priority bids' at sheriff’s auctions and public sales." According to Woodward, the city will partner with "the Finance Authority of New Orleans to help people with their downpayments and closing costs, with local employers on incentives for employees to live closer to their jobs, and with the Regional Transit Authority to offer more public transit options in underserved neighborhoods."
The mayor's plan follows the path blazed by a Housing NOLA [pdf] report released last year, which called for 5,000 new units.
FULL STORY: Mayor Landrieu unveils five-year affordable housing plan
Louisiana State Senate Votes to Preempt Locals on Inclusionary Zoning
Earlier this week, the Louisiana State Senate approved SB 462, which preempts local authorities from approving inclusionary zoning.
New Orleans Added Almost 2,00 Affordable Units in 2016
A report from HousingNOLA about efforts to create and preserve affordable housing in New Orleans finds reasons to celebrate and reasons to keep working on the challenge.
New Orleans Housing Report Card: “F” for Affordable Housing
A New Orleans nonprofit has failed the city’s affordable housing efforts for the third year running, citing local agencies’ inability to convert the city’s many underused properties into safe and affordable housing.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
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.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
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
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
