Housing
Montgomery County Approves ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Zoning
A new zoning amendment facilitates housing construction on properties owned by faith-based institutions.
California Bills Would Clarify, Restrict ‘Builder’s Remedy’
The controversial law lets developers skirt local zoning rules in cities without state-approved housing plans.
Washington State Legislates Statewide Cohousing Development
The new law will prevent local governments from prohibiting the development of coliving multifamily development through zoning and other regulations.
Burlington Approves Middle Housing Zoning Reform
The Vermont city will allow larger residential buildings and adjust other requirements to spur more ‘missing middle housing’ development.
Feds Cap Rent Raises on Subsidized Housing
Owners of affordable housing developments that take advantage of federal tax incentives will be barred from raising rents more than 10 percent per year.
Land Trusts Preserve Affordability, but for Whom?
An analysis of buildings bought by the city for a community land trust in Boston reveals that many prior residents were evicted just before the sales.
Soaring Property Insurance Rates Threaten Affordable Housing Development
Rapidly rising insurance premiums are forcing affordable housing developers to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and even sell. To add insult to injury, some insurers also seem to be adding penalties or withdrawing coverage for housing voucher holders.
San Jose Is Training AI to Identify Homeless Camps
Images captured on cameras mounted on a municipal vehicle are being used to train a private technology companies’ AI algorithm to detect tents and signs of habitation in vehicles.
Out-of-State Investors Buying Up More Mobile Home Parks
In a trend that has accelerated since the pandemic, over one in five mobile home parks in Maine are owned by out-of-state investors.
How Persuasive Are Arguments Against Statewide Zoning Reform?
A leading scholar of state and local government argues that local governments’ need to regulate business should take priority over the state and national interests in lowering housing costs. Are his assumptions persuasive?
Understanding Affordable Housing Lingo
20 key terms in the affordable housing discussion.
Boston Moves Zoning Reform Forward
The ‘Squares + Streets’ plan creates form-based zoning templates for neighborhoods that promote mixed use and denser housing near transit.
Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan
Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.
Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing
Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.
Why Parking Reform Goes Hand in Hand With More Housing
To achieve the full benefits of ‘missing middle housing’ and make way for small-lot construction, cities must rethink parking mandates.
Florida Passes Outdoor Sleeping Ban
Florida is the latest state to pass legislation barring unhoused people from sleeping or camping on public property.
The Paradox of American Housing
How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.
Deconstructing Office-to-Residential Conversions in Seattle
In a two-part inquiry in GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe looks at clearing the path to office-to-residential conversions and the complex path beyond.
Draft Plan Takes Aim at Downtown DC Revitalization
The plan calls for policies that support adaptive reuse, new housing construction, and improved public parks and facilities.
New Jersey Law Clarifies Local Housing Needs
Cities will be required to submit plans for creating sufficient affordable housing under a new state law.
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
