Housing

Skid Row

L.A. Homelessness Plan Hitting Speed Bumps

City councilmembers express concern about progress of homelessness plan after receiving a first update report.

November 21, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Montgomery County Planners Target 4,2000 New Housing Units

The Montgomery County Planning Department is making the case for more housing to meet the growing number of jobs in the county.

November 21, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

San Francisco Group Hopes to 'Save' Forrest Hill from Proposed Low-Income Housing for Seniors

Forrest Hill building faces strong opposition from wealthy neighbors.

November 21, 2016 - The San Francisco Chronicle

California's New Accessory Dwelling Unit Having an Effect in Monterey

The city of Monterey has been compelled by a new state law to loosen prohibitions on accessory dwelling units after failing to so earlier in the year.

November 18, 2016 - Monterey County Weekly

Seattle City Council

Seattle City Council Parts With Mayor on Affordable Housing Funds

Political drama connected to the funding of affordable will require changes to the mayor's proposed city budget.

November 18, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Porch

Housing Doesn't 'Filter,' Neighborhoods Do

Housing advocates tend to agree that we need to supplement market-rate luxury development with subsidized affordable housing, but rarely do we ask the market to provide housing for people further down the income ladder. That's bad policy.

November 17, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC Sees the Pros and Cons of 6,000 New Apartments

Traffic Congestion, Parking Shortages, New Shopping Opportunities, Housing for Millennials, Economic Development! Charleston, South Carolina residents' reaction to over 6,000 planned or in development apartment units runs the gamut.

November 17, 2016 - The Post and Courier

San Francisco

Airbnb Ready to Make Concessions to the City of San Francisco

The city of San Francisco and Airbnb may move their dispute from the courtroom to the negotiating table, as the company indicates willingness to find a "win-win" with the city.

November 16, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Del Mar Station TOD

A Potential Downside to $120 Billion in Transportation Investments in Los Angeles

The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times warns that along with new transit lines comes new housing for residents who want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto-dependence. Plans need to ensure minimal housing displacement around the new stations.

November 16, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Salt Lake City

Housing Advocates Push Affordability Agenda in Salt Lake City

With an estimated housing gap of 7,500 units and an apartment vacancy rate of 2 percent, Salt Lake City needs to do more to address an affordable housing shortage, advocates say.

November 16, 2016 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Not My President

Trump Election Coverage Round Up (Planning Edition)

A compendium of the most discussed examples of news and commentary regarding the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States—but only what's directly relevant to the fields of planning and urban design.

November 15, 2016 - Planetizen

Desert Signage

Affordable Housing Measure Passes in L.A. by Wide Margin. Now What?

An affordable housing measure passed in Tuesday's election has developers saying they may scrap existing building projects, meanwhile the bill’s supporters argue that the new rules will help break the housing crunch plaguing the area.

November 14, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Gentrify Occupy

Visualizing Gentrification in 9 Cities

A new atlas explores the multiple causes of gentrification through bold graphics and data visualizations.

November 14, 2016 - Creative Review

Homeless Encampment

San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living

Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.

November 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Tries to Get Ahead of Gentrification with Community Land Trust

After years of decline, some Pittsburgh neighborhoods are beginning to see an uptick in popularity, so the city is seeking to protect the existence of affordable housing.

November 10, 2016 - Next City

Suburbia

'Revealed Preference' Can't Explain the Shortage of Urban Housing Options

A familiar argument of suburban apologists is that people prefer suburban environments over urban environments. Joe Cortright reminds us, however, that "revealed preference" doesn't tell the whole story.

November 10, 2016 - City Observatory

Miami Temperature

Miami Sues Banks Over Housing Collapse

Miami’s city government hopes to get some financial compensation from banks for the hardship the city endured during the foreclosure crisis.

November 10, 2016 - The Washington Post

Sacramento

California's Rental Housing Crisis Has Come to the Capital

The state capital of California is starting to see rents that would fit in around San Francisco or Los Angeles. Although explanations are scant, some are blaming the stagnant multi-family development industry.

November 8, 2016 - The Sacramento Bee

Vancouver Skyline

Vancouver Home Sales Nosedive After Foreign Buyer Restrictions Take Effect

A new tax on foreign buyers and a threatened tax on vacant homes have contributed to a significant drop in home sales in October.

November 8, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Tenants' Rights

Policy Ideas That Support Renters

Renters can't access the tax breaks afforded to home buyers, like the mortgage interest tax deduction, so a Terner Center for Housing Innovation paper looks at policies that could put renters on a more even footing with home buyers.

November 8, 2016 - Next City

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.