Housing

Opinion: Portland Housing Reforms Are the Solution Needed Now
A trio of housing reforms would allow increases in housing density and make anti-displacement a policy priority in Portland, Oregon.

Toronto's Poverty Plan Meets the Budget Process
Toronto approved a ten-year poverty reduction strategy in 2015, but the policies and programs included in that plan still require budgetary commitments.

Strategies for Discussing Urban Revitalization in Context of Gentrification
With concerns about gentrification sometimes, and in some places, dominating the discussion, it can be difficult to advocate for revitalization.

Las Vegas Approves Homeless Camping Ban
The city of Las Vegas has approved a law that prohibits the homeless from camping in large swaths of the city. The measure provoked the opposition on most of the public in attendance at a City Council hearing this week.

How D.C.'s Comprehensive Plan May Change
Along with a commitment to produce more affordable housing, Washington D.C. is making general amendments to its Comprehensive Plan. The result may be more "honesty" and nuance around housing.

Measuring the Effect of Zoning on Housing Prices
Recent political interest in local land use regulations requires a thorough and nuanced understanding of the strengths and limitations of the methodologies available for measuring the effects of zoning.

Philadelphia Searching for New Affordable Housing Tools
Two proposed pieces of legislation would create a new revenue stream for Philadelphia's affordable housing efforts and protect tenants of existing affordable units.

Apple Pledges $2.5 Billion for Housing Affordability
It's been a big year for tech giants pledging money to mitigate the affordability crisis in the regions and cities they call home. Apple joins a club that includes Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.

Homeowners Staying Put for Longer Than Ever
Aging in place means fewer homes for young homebuyers, according to a new report by Redfin.

Pre-Fab Buildings to Ease the Housing Crisis
Modular housing is cheaper and faster to build compared to conventional buildings. These advantages could make it an effective and viable way to increase apartment housing stock.

A Tiny Lot for Sale in Vancouver, But There's a Catch
It seems like a tiny homes would be a good fit for such a small lot as this example in East Vancouver. But this lot is too tiny for even a tiny home.
'Rental Assistance Demonstration' Program Evaluated
A controversial affordable housing program, launched in 2012, is the subject of analysis by the Urban Institute.
Two New Community Land Trusts for Ventura County
Ventura County, Located to the north and west of Los Angeles County, will soon have its first two community land trusts.

Homelessness Fuels a Backlash in California
The Golden State's ongoing homelessness crisis has residents on edge and is testing the limits of empathy in a state known for its liberal values.

Distinguishing the Housing Shortage from Gentrification
Gentrification "mutates particular neighborhoods" while scarce housing "squeezes entire regions," Devin Michelle Bunten writes. Conflating the two can lead to inaccuracies in understanding.

A Theory of Gentrification—And Where It Goes Wrong
Does gentrification always follow massive disinvestment?

Luxury Condos, Not Luxury Single-Family Homes, Take the Blame in the Affordability Debate
An article in The Urbanist suggests the ire over new developments is misplaced.

For 2020 Census, Cities Face Hurdles Finding People to Count
In many cities, people are living in places that are hard to locate. But accurate census counts are crucial to ensuring cities get their fair share of political power and funding.

Demolitions Can't Keep Pace With Vacancies in Baltimore
As the city of Baltimore grapples with a declining population, it faces obstinate challenges in controlling the problems associated with vacant buildings, including the "vicious cycle" of vacancies causing more vacancies.

What if the Greenest Building Isn't the One Already Standing?
Renovating old buildings instead of demolishing them as the better "green" option is preservation orthodoxy. But what if the decision between renovation and demolition is less than clear-cut?
Pagination
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont