Housing

"Environmentall sensitive area" sign on rustic wooden fence with tall green grass in background.

Misuse of Environmental Laws Betrays Their Intent

How laws written to protect natural resources and biodiversity are being reinterpreted by NIMBY groups to block development.

October 24, 2023 - Governing

Close-up of microphone on speaker's dais with blurred crowd sitting in bright high school gym in background.

The Problem With Tone Policing

One common criticism of pro-housing advocacy is that supporters of new housing are (in the words of one commentator) “arrogant.” But there is no reason to believe that this is any less true of their opponents.

October 24, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Close-up of hand using smartphone to search New York City map on Airbnb app.

New York’s Airbnb Reform, One Month In

Less than half of submissions to the city’s new application process have been approved under new short-term rental regulations.

October 24, 2023 - Crain's New York Business

Apartment buildings in San Diego, California

San Diego Housing Programs Awarded $4.8 Million

The new funding will support city projects aimed at streamlining the process for building affordable housing and transit-oriented development.

October 23, 2023 - NBC San Diego

Blue small sedan in driveway of ranch-style one-story home with light green walls and dark brown garage door and trim.

Opinion: Why ‘Starter’ Homes and Cars are Both Disappearing

How lower-income consumers are being priced out of accessible options.

October 23, 2023 - Discourse Magazine

Multicolored tiny homes for temporary shelter in complex adjacent to freeway overpass in Los Angeles, California.

Tiny Homes are a First—but not Last—Step in Ending Homelessness

Cities are trying to stretch affordable housing funds to meet the demand for both short- and long-term housing.

October 22, 2023 - CALmatters

New York City Air Conditioners

Tenant-Led Organization Fights Back Against Discriminating Landlords

Although it’s technically illegal for landlords to deny housing voucher recipients, tenants around the country have been rejected or charged exorbitant fees for using vouchers.

October 22, 2023 - Next City

Close-up of row of colorful townhouses with triangular roofs

Quantifying the Impact of Pandemic Housing Assistance

The massive federal injection of funding into housing programs has had major impacts on many Americans’ ability to stay housed and out of debt, but fears loom as the end of some funding sources nears.

October 20, 2023 - Route Fifty

St. Paul skyline as seen from across river

St. Paul Approves Zoning Reforms

The zoning updates will permit multi-unit housing and promote transit-oriented development to boost the city’s housing supply.

October 20, 2023 - Pioneer Press

Aerial view of downtown Baltimore, Maryland with freeways in foreground

Baltimore Could See a TOD Boom

Developers are calling on city leaders to support transit-oriented development amidst an influx of federal funding opportunities.

October 19, 2023 - Bisnow

Cottages on Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Mayor Calls for Permanent Rental Assistance

A proposed ordinance would extend a pilot program launched during the pandemic to support struggling renters and prevent evictions.

October 19, 2023 - The Real Deal

View looking up at high-rise Art Deco Atlanta City Hall building.

Atlanta Approves New Affordable Housing and Eviction Protection Funds

Several city resolutions will fund projects that help residents find housing and eviction prevention services.

October 19, 2023 - Rough Draft Atlanta

Modernist light brown cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles Diocese Says ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’

A new California state bill lets churches and other faith-based institutions bypass environmental reviews for proposed affordable housing on their properties.

October 18, 2023 - Episcopal News Service

California state capitol building dome with U.S., California, and POW/MIA flags on flagpole

Election 2024: California Voters to Decide on $6 Billion Homelessness Bond

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two ‘behavioral health’ bills that put Proposition 1 on the March 2024 ballot, targeting the housing, mental health, and substance use treatment needs of homeless residents living in encampments. Opposition has arisen.

October 18, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Street in downtown Missoula, Montana.

Missoula Opens New Affordable Housing Complexes

The city is adding hundreds of new housing units in an effort to ease the region’s housing crunch.

October 18, 2023 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of college campus with red brick buildings and green lawns.

The Role of ‘Anchor Institutions’ in the Housing Crisis

Major employers and economic drivers like universities can use various tools to make housing more affordable for their students and staff.

October 18, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

A group of socially distanced tents for the homeless are set up on a parking lot in San Francisco's Civic Center.

San Francisco Aims to Speed up Supportive Housing Placement

The city wants to expedite the process for getting people into available housing units.

October 17, 2023 - Oakland Post

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground

How Housing Density Could Help Austin Reach Climate Goals

With housing and transportation as the two biggest sources of carbon emissions, a new report shows how boosting density near transit would accelerate emissions reductions.

October 17, 2023 - Austin Monitor

Close-up of hand filing out FHA Loan application on desk with calculator next to paper.

Federal Rule Change Lets Banks Include ADU Income in Mortgage Decisions

A policy change from the Federal Housing Administration is designed to spur more rental housing construction and bring homeownership within reach of more U.S. households.

October 17, 2023 - MReport

Large homes in neighborhood covered in snow in Missoula, Montana with mountains in background gainst sunset sky.

Missoula Approves Tax Increment Financing for Workforce Housing

The funding mechanism exchanges public funding for a certain number of affordable units.

October 16, 2023 - The Missoulian

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.

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.