Housing

Boston houses

The COVID-19 Housing Crisis and the Housing Affordability Crisis Have the Same Solutions

The solutions for the U.S. housing crisis caused by the economic wreckage of COVID-19 will also provide relief in the future, according to this article.

April 30, 2020 - Sightline Institute

Washington D.C.

D.C. Comp Plan Update Includes 'Gentle Density' in Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods

A lot of long-term planning is underway in Washington, D.C.

April 29, 2020 - Urban Turf

Hidden New York City

Massive Affordable Housing Effort in New York Faces Coronavirus Reckoning

A controversial but sweeping housing initiative in New York City, one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's signature initiatives, had a full head of steam before the coronavirus. Now it's facing drastic cuts.

April 29, 2020 - Politico

2020 Campaign

What Could a Joe Biden Presidency Accomplish on Affordable Housing?

Democratic presidential candidates made the housing crisis part of their platforms. What might a President Biden do to ease the shortage?

April 27, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Manhattan, New York City, New York

Density Debate Rages Alongside the Pandemic

Questions about how highly contested questions about the future of the built environment will reference COVID-19 for years to come. The question about whether that debate will achieve any actual change is still very much up for debate.

April 27, 2020 - James Brasuell

Congressional Democrats

A Closer Look at Illhan Omar's Proposed Bill to Cancel Rent, Mortgage Payments

A bill announced by Rep. Ilhan Omar would release tenants and homeowners from housing payments until the national emergency is lifted, and would make up the losses to landlords and lenders through a federal fund.

April 26, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

New York City Homelessness

Late Action, Local Opposition Frustrate Emergency Homeless Shelter Plans

Some progress, but not nearly enough, has been reported as California and its cities scramble to procure temporary shelters to house homeless people during the pandemic.

April 23, 2020 - James Brasuell

Apartment Construction

Increase Housing Supply Softened Rent Increases in D.C., Study Says

A study recently published by the District of Columbia offers supporting evidence to a supply-side approach to housing affordability in high-demand markets.

April 22, 2020 - District of Columbia Office of Revenue Analysis

California

Eviction Moratoriums Rescinded After Landlords Threaten Lawsuits

While a statewide eviction moratorium is still in place, the example of Upland in Southern California suggests that local eviction moratoriums might not withstand legal controversies.

April 21, 2020 - Daily Bulletin

Affordable Housing

$1 Million for an Affordable Apartment in California—Coronavirus Could Make it Worse

The pre-existing condition of the California housing market will make it very difficult to meet the demands of the state's residents as unemployment spikes in the state.

April 20, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Construction

Demand Expected to Slow in U.S. Rental Market

Analysis from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University predicts the pandemic will reduce rents, but only at the top of the market.

April 20, 2020 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

COVID-19 Mobility

Watch: The Future of Cities After COVID-19

An expert panel convened to discuss the effect of the coronavirus on the foundations of society and contemporary life. The future, both the remaining time dealing with the pandemic and after, is becoming more clear with every passing day and week.

April 17, 2020 - Planetizen Courses

New Orleans Doors

High-Risk, Essential, and Illegally Evicted

Eviction moratoriums are only as good as their enforcement, as one man’s harrowing story in New Orleans shows.

April 16, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

New York Housing

Expanding Housing Choice Vouchers Would Strengthen the Safety Net

An expanded housing voucher program is needed to address the medium- and long-term economic consequences of COVID-19.

April 16, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

COVID-19

Few Homeowners in Forbearance in April; Number Expected to Grow

The Mortgage Bankers Association surveyed the U.S. home mortgage servicing market for indications about how the nation's 26.9 million home loans were holding up during the first weeks of the pandemic.

April 15, 2020 - The Dallas Morning News

Houston, Texas

Texas Losing its Housing Affordability Advantage

Trends pre-dating Covid-19 showed housing affordability slipping away from many residents in Texas. The pandemic will likely only exacerbate the trend, according to this analysis.

April 15, 2020 - Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research: The Urban Edge

Apartment renter

Strengthening the Safety Net With Universal Housing Assistance

The Urban Institute simulated a model to predict the cost of a universal housing assistance program to support those who face homelessness.

April 15, 2020 - Urban Institute

For Rent

Experts Expect Rent to Drop, Along With Incomes

There is no silver lining in the news that experts expect the cost of rental housing to decline as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

April 14, 2020 - NBC News

One57

Office-to-Residential Conversions Considered as Workers Go Remote

Reduced demand for office space after coronavirus could lead New York landlords to consider the conversion of offices to residential spaces.

April 14, 2020 - The Real Deal

The Tenderloin

Safe At Home: Securing Affordable Housing in a Pandemic

An interview on the critical importance of securing quality affordable housing during the pandemic, coupled with the challenge of responding to the operational needs of ongoing development projects.

April 13, 2020 - The Planning Report

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.