Housing
Clearing the Path for Tiny Houses
Clocking in at less than 500 square feet, tiny houses are in greater and greater demand. They've been touted as a means to address affordability, inequality, homelessness, and environmental concerns. But regulatory issues are holding them back.
'Housing First' Program Reduces Homelessness by 70 Percent in Milwaukee County
The "housing first" approach to homelessness is building a track record of success in Milwaukee.
Anaheim—Home to Disneyland—Bans All Short-Term Rentals
Reports about the decision by the Anaheim City Council to ban all short-term rentals, through companies like Airbnb or VRBO, described it as a victory for homeowners.
Suburbs Are Failing the Elderly
Around two-thirds of Baby Boomers in metropolitan areas live in the suburbs. But as they age, suburbia seems less and less hospitable.
Op-Ed: We Shouldn't Rush to Regulate Airbnb
Is Airbnb a prime target for regulation, or is it just another way to expand the marketplace for bedrooms? Dan Bertolet urges caution. After all, couldn't less Airbnb just mean more hotels?
Yards Getting Smaller as Homes Get Bigger
Americans have shown a clear preference for larger homes—even at the expense of the coveted backyard.
Hamburg Sets Inclusionary Zoning Pace in Western New York
With less than 60,000 residents, Hamburg, New York might fly under the housing policy radar, but the small town is the first in Western New York to approve inclusionary zoning. Buffalo could be next.
Tiny Houses Aren't the Solution
Vox publishes an article debunking tiny houses as the housing silver bullet some hope they will become.
The Real Reasons Affordable Housing Isn't Being Built in California
The policy tools used to address our nation's housing shortfall often seem to worsen the problem. But this is because they ignore the underlying infrastructure and financing to support growth.
The Disconnect Over Displacement in Los Angeles
A mixed-use development proposal in South L.A. highlights a blind spot of progressive urbanism—the gap between what checks all the boxes and what low-income communities really need.
New Data on the Shift to Cities
It's no secret that urban centers are doing better today than they were 30 years ago. New FHFA data on housing prices confirms the trend and suggests that a changing environment (as opposed to changing preferences) account for it.
The Unintended Consequences Lurking in Gov. Brown's Affordable Housing Proposal
California Governor Brown's proposal to streamline affordable housing may cause more problems than it solves, both for affordable housing and community planning, argues Murtaza Baxamusa who teaches planning at USC and develops affordable housing.
Barcelona Facing New Housing Problems, and Airbnb
Barcelona is facing increasing pressure on its housing market, primarily in rental prices. The Mediterranean city, which last year became the third most popular European destination after Paris and London, is facing a new housing crisis.
The 3 Most Common Community Engagement Mistakes
Planners, like any other professionals, live in a kind of bubble. Those charged with dealing with the public run the risk of expecting too much from residents as they design community engagement activities. Here are some of the most common mistakes.
San Antonio Wants a Housing Bond, but its Charter Won't Make it Easy
San Antonio provides a case study of the difficult politics of funding affordable housing measures.
Los Angeles Voters to Consider $1.2 Billion Property Tax Bond for Homeless Housing
Los Angeles voters will be asked to approve a new property tax on residential and commercial properties to pay for a $1.2 billion to improve the city's worsening homelessness problem.
Planetizen Week in Review: July 1, 2016
It will only take us two-and-a-half minutes to catch you up on the big planning news from the last week of June.
HUD Announces Latest Round of Choice Neighborhood Grants
Ten new neighborhoods join 63 previous grant winners under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.
U.S. Homes Prices Are Soaring; Seven Cities Set Records
Housing prices are going up, in case you hadn't heard. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index paints the housing market picture in vibrant data.
Survey Finds Pessimism Prevailing in the Housing Market
A new survey finds that many Americans are still extremely pessimistic about the state of the housing market—many even believe that the worst of the mortgage foreclosure crisis that began in 2008 is yet to come.
Pagination
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello