The Denver City Council approved a hard-fought, $150 million affordable housing fund this week.
"With a 9-4 vote, the [Denver City Council] created the city’s first-ever dedicated local funding sources for affordable housing," reports Jon Murray.
The fund will raise $150 million from property taxes and new development impact fees. Murray reports that during months of debate leading up to the approval, the plan was portrayed by backers as a "modest first step" and by housing advocates as "too little, too late." Some developers and businesses opposed the proposal, arguing that it "could drive up market rents and building prices."
The approved proposal outlines a big first year for the fund, raising $10 million from impact fees and taxes, in addition to a "$5 million one-time infusion could come from city reserves, including marijuana taxes," report Murray. "That money for the first year would set in motion project subsidies and land purchases that potentially could produce, above and beyond the city’s current programs, 653 new income-restricted apartments and other homes, according to city officials’ plans. And about 250 households could receive emergency assistance to help them to stay in their homes."
FULL STORY: Denver council approves creation of city’s first affordable-housing fund
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.