Housing

California

Multi-Family Leads Recent Housing Uptick in California

With stronger state mandates kicking in, California housing permits rose sharply in September. But as one construction industry commentator noted, an uptick isn't a trend.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

babyt Boomer Homeowners

Study: Boomers Leaving Their Homes Will Dramatically Increase Housing Supply

New analysis by Zillow predicts a "Silver Tsunami" of residential properties coming to the market as Baby Boomers leave the housing market. The effect could be like the housing boom of the mid-2000s.

November 26, 2019 - Zillow

Riverside, California

Evaluating the Results of New Protections for Affordable Housing Development

California's Senate Bill 35 is touted by affordable housing advocates and other pro-development forces as an example of what good developments can happen when local obstructions are moved out of the way by the state.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

Major Milestone for Chicago-Area Land Bank

The Cook County Land Bank Authority recently participated in its 500th rehab project. Homeowners and entrepreneurs have benefitted along the way.

November 26, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Home Repairs

Federal Housing Administration Expands Housing Rehab Support to Opportunity Zones

The Limited 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program will now be available in federally designated Opportunity Zones, and with more to loan than in the previous iteration of the program.

November 25, 2019 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Home Sold Sign

How One Startup Approaches Rent-To-Own

Founded two years ago, Divvy buys homes for cash and then leases them to tenants who apply part of their rent toward a down payment.

November 25, 2019 - Tampa Bay Times

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Seattle Companies Want to Drive Down Prohibitive ADU Costs

Legal barriers to accessory dwelling units may be disappearing in some places, but costs can still be prohibitive. Several companies are stepping forward with more affordable options.

November 25, 2019 - The Urbanist

British Columbia

Vancouver Making Room for More Apartments

As a response to rising rental prices and low vacancy rates, Vancouver planners have created a package of zoning and process changes to provide incentives for new multi-family developments.

November 25, 2019 - The Vancouver Sun

South Los Angeles Market-Rate Housing Development

Controversial Housing Development Nixed in South L.A.

The local planning commission for South Los Angeles rejected a controversial multi-family housing development proposed for a location adjacent to a future light rail station.

November 24, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Massachusetts State Capitol

No 'Housing Choice' Bill in Massachusetts This Year

The key item on the housing agenda of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will have to wait until next year.

November 24, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Los Angeles 110 Freeway

L.A. Crafting Legislation for 'Anti-Displacement Zones'

The idea that new development results in rising costs for renters in the surrounding neighborhood drives a new effort in Los Angeles.

November 21, 2019 - Curbed Los Angeles

Related California

Seasoned Developer Opines on California’s Housing Crisis

Bill Witte, CEO and chairman of Related California, discusses how state and local governments ought to respond to the state’s challenges with housing affordability, growth in homelessness, and 'missing middle' housing supply.

November 21, 2019 - The Planning Report

Detroit Vacant

Proposed $250 Million Blight Removal Bond Fails in Detroit

The Detroit City Council dealt a blow to Mayor Mike Duggan by rejecting the mayor's signature blight reduction proposal.

November 20, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Short-Term Rentals

Ontario Upholds Toronto's Airbnb Regulations

The vacancy rate in Toronto has been estimated as low 1.1 percent, but the province has approved regulations intended to restore units that have been taken off the long-term rental market by short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.

November 20, 2019 - The Globe and Mail

Long Island, New York

Reporters Go Undercover to Identify Housing Discrimination

A three-year investigation of the real estate industry on Long Island reveals rampant discriminatory practices and an industry complicit in the segregation of the communities that comprise the region.

November 20, 2019 - Newsday

Rep. Earl Blumanauer

Oregon Congressman Takes on Federal Housing Policy

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) offers perspective on the U.S. housing crisis, the scale and complexity of which he argues demands affirmative federal action.

November 19, 2019 - The Planning Report

Seattle Tiny Homes Village

Tiny Home Village to Close Amid Controversy in Seattle

The situation at the tiny home village in the Seattle neighborhood of Northlake has been deteriorating since April.

November 19, 2019 - Seattle Times

Edgemere Commons

2,000 Units of Privately Funded Affordable Housing Approved for Queens

A large affordable housing development will be built on the former site of a hospital in the Rockaway Peninsula neighborhood of Queens.

November 19, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

California

Op-Ed: Housing Could Have Fared Better in San Francisco Election

This month's election yielded mixed results on housing. The pros: a solid victory for pro-housing Mayor London Breed and two affordable housing measures. The con: likely more anti-housing sentiment on the Board of Supervisors.

November 17, 2019 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Transit Oriented Development

Tenant Protections Expanded in Pasadena

One of the most famous suburbs in the country has expended tenant protections in the midst of the housing affordability crisis challenging much of the state.

November 15, 2019 - Pasadena Independent

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.