Housing

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

California

Lawsuit Would Force Central Valley City to Comply With California Housing Law

The city of Clovis, California, didn't become 70 percent white by accident, according to the plaintiffs for a lawsuit in Fresno County Superior Court.

November 15, 2019 - Fresno Bee

Atlanta Vacancy

Vacant Properties Weren't Just a Foreclosure Crisis Problem

There are more vacant properties now than there were at the height of the foreclosure crisis in the United States, and many vacant properties are hanging around in growing cities with a shortage of affordable housing.

November 12, 2019 - Marketplace

Sprawl

Regional Planning Paradigm Shift in Southern California

The Southern California Association of Governments, in response to new mandates from the state, has adopted a radical new approach to housing requirements in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

November 10, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

California

Torrent of Pro-Housing Policies Could Overwhelm California's Planners

Ben Metcalf recently stepped down as director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. His tenure coincided with adoption of aggressive new statewide policies. But are they too much of a good thing?

November 10, 2019 - California Planning & Development Report

Kitsilano Beach Park

Squamish Nation Plans 6,000-Unit Development in Vancouver

The residential development in Vancouver, located on Squamish Nation land, will be significantly larger than what was initially planned.

November 10, 2019 - The Globe and Mail

Gowanus Canal

Transfer of Air Rights Sought to Finance Public Housing Improvements in Brooklyn

The rezoning of the neighborhood of Gowanus in Brooklyn is providing opportunities for local politicians to address local needs.

November 10, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Cupertino, California

Why Big Tech Billions Won't Dent California's Housing Crisis

New multibillion-dollar affordable housing commitments from leading tech firms may build out thousands of units, but that's nothing next to California's gargantuan housing shortage.

November 9, 2019 - The New York Times

Brooklyn, New York City

Living in the Gentrified Version of Fort Greene, Brooklyn

The New York Times notes the gentrification of Fort Greene, but caters to the people would looking for places to live in the neighborhood.

November 8, 2019 - The New York Times

Detroit Skyline

Detroit Tax Abatement Will Keep Senior Renters in Upscale Building

The city worked with the owners of an apartment building to maintain lower rents so longtime residents would not be displaced after renovations.

November 8, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Portland

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.

November 8, 2019 - The Oregonian

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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.

November 8, 2019 - The Star

Gentrify Occupy

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.

November 8, 2019 - Shelterforce

Sleeping in Public

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.

November 7, 2019 - Las Vegas Sun

Capitol Hill DC

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.

November 7, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

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.