Housing
The Best and Worst Cities for Housing Affordability
The gap between market-rate and affordable rents is much wider in some U.S. cities than others.
San Francisco Could Redefine RVs to Restrict Living in Vehicles
The SFMTA is considering expanding the definition of RVs to include mobile homes, box trucks, and other campers.
Top Retirement Destinations in California: Where Affordability, Health, and Recreation Meet
These spots offer a balance of affordability, access to healthcare, and outdoor recreation opportunities that make them ideal for those seeking comfort and quality of life in their golden years.
Housing Top of Mind for Nevada Voters
The Silver State is the nation’s most unaffordable housing market for extremely low-income households.
Hundreds of Thousands of Housing Units Could Lose Affordability
As the 30-year term of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit expires for many affordable housing units, the families living there face steep rent hikes and evictions.
September Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
Housing affordability, Texas high-speed rail, school drop-off congestion, Project 2025 transportation policy, and more — here are Planetizen’s most popular headlines from September 2024.
Norwalk to Lose State Funding After Shelter Ban
A California city will lose access to state housing funds after refusing to end a prohibition on new emergency shelters.
Naples Motel Could Become 110 Housing Units
A proposal to convert a Super 8 motel to housing was unanimously supported by the city’s planning commission.
Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage
The mayor’s plan includes legalizing ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, eliminating parking requirements, and adding new affordability requirements to buildings with over 20 units.
Oregon Cities Debate Expanding Boundaries
A recent bill allows cities to apply for a one-time expansion to Oregon’s historic urban growth boundaries, which limit development at the edges of cities.
First Model Homes Revealed in Disney-Built Community
Disney’s Cotino, in the Southern California desert, is the first of the company’s ‘Storybook Living’ developments.
London, Ontario Uses AI to Find Short-Term Rental Violations
The city has issued 171 fines related to short-term rental regulations since it began enforcing new rules in 2022.
Affordable Housing: A Primer
A guide to affordable housing definitions and federal housing assistance programs.
Court Blocks Arlington County Zoning Reform
The county’s zoning reform plan would have promoted ‘missing middle housing’ types of up to six units on lots previously zoned for single-family housing.
LA Approves New Safe Parking Pilot
The Los Angeles City Council approved $50,000 to fund a new safe parking site for people living in vehicles.
DC Council Moves to Roll Back Renter Protections as Affordable Housing Providers Struggle
The District could tighten the rules for a pandemic-era housing assistance program and speed up the eviction process.
‘City of Yes’ Zoning Reform Gains Planning Commission Approval
The proposal to overhaul New York City’s zoning code, popular with voters, to make housing development easier faces opposition in the City Council.
New Jersey Housing Laws Take Effect in January
New affordable housing regulations will require cities to submit plans outlining how they will meet housing demand in their jurisdictions.
Colorado Springs Motel Converted to Supportive Housing
A vacant motel now offers 12 supportive housing units for formerly homeless women.
Community Land Trusts Offer Relief From High Housing Costs
The nonprofit model is becoming more popular as communities seek ways to reduce housing costs.
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
