Housing
A Realtor's Solution For Creating Affordable Housing
An influential Vancouver Realtor has proposed a density bonus scheme that he says would get developers to provide more housing affordable to first-time buyers.
Fears Over Immigrants Stymie Accessory Unit Ordinance
Planners in Arlington, Virginia want to allow rental units in single family neighborhoods, but residents are strongly opposed to the proposal, many of them worried that the units will attract low-income immigrants.
Homeowner Associations Feel Impact Of Foreclosure Crisis
With high foreclosure rates and growing numbers of residents delinquent with their dues, many homeowners associations are having a hard time paying for repairs and amenities.
Road Building Requirement Lifted For Arizona Homebuilders
Homebuilders have been removed from the language of a transportation funding bill that would have required developers to pay for new roads.
Adding Housing To Office Parks
Facing a shortage of affordable housing, Westchester, New York, is considering using the excess parking lots of local office park campuses for new housing development.
New Urbanist Town Designed For Ultimate In Green Living
A planned New Urbanist development in Northern California wants enable its eventual residents to live within their prescribed ecological footprint.
Affordable Housing Versus Better Wages
Massachusetts wants to require affordable housing developers to pay construction workers a "prevailing wage", but with costs already totaling $200,000 or more per unit, the proposal may ultimately decrease the amount of affordable housing built.
California Housing Construction Crashes
There is very, very little new housing construction in most of California, where the number of housing starts is down 75% from the boom year of 2005. One result is layoffs for planners, building inspectors and plan checkers.
Housing Debacle Threatens Renters
A new report examines the impacts of the mortgage meltdown on rental housing.
A Silver Lining To The Foreclosure Crisis: More Affordable Housing
The Federal Reserve has announced plans to help community non-profits to acquire foreclosed homes for use as affordable housing.
Immigrants Face Discrimination, Abusive Fair Housing Policy In Nebraska
In Nebraska, a state experiencing just a moderate level of Hispanic immigration inflow, Attorney General Jon Bruning has drawn the line on who he’ll protect from abusive housing policies and who he won’t. For him, immigrants simply aren’t worth it.
Los Angeles Cracks Down On Mansionization
Despite concerns about lowering property values across the city, the L.A. City Council moved to limit the size of newly constructed homes in older neighborhoods to about 4,000 square feet.
Mission Possible?
Despite naysayers, Masdar City is moving forward. The goal: to be the world's first modern-day carbon-free city.
Gas Prices Hurting Housing Market
The bursting of the housing bubble may be tied to rising gas prices, according to one economist.
Rental Market Heating Up Due To Foreclosures
Americans who've lost their homes to foreclosure are now looking to rent, tightening up already low vacancy rates and driving up prices. Meanwhile, foreclosed homes sit empty.
Tycoon Plans Multi-Billion Dollar Home
Nita and Mukesh Ambani are planning a $2 billion, 440,000 square foot, 27-story home for their family in Mumbai -- designed by architecture firms Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates.
Bay Area's Growth Shifts To Urban Areas
The latest population and housing estimates for the San Fransisco Bay Area show that urban areas are equaling, if not exceeding, the growth of suburban communities -- with more multifamily homes being built in lieu of detached single-family homes.
Green Affordable Housing Complex Opens In Harlem
A new 85-unit apartment building in Harlem shows that affordable housing and green building practices can go hand in hand.
Eminent Domain Back On The Ballot In California
Two ballot measures -- one sponsored by property owners, the other by local government groups and businesses -- seek to tighten the rules around eminent domain, and potentially end rent control in the state.
For These Homeowners, The Smaller The Better
Smaller, environmentally friendly homes -- ranging from as much as 1000 to as little as 70 square feet -- are a hot trend in modern architecture. Eco-conscious (and wallet-conscious) buyers are increasingly interested in these new "micro mansions".
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
