Oakland pilot program to buy up vacant lots and properties, whose owners have defaulted on their property taxes, to transform them into low- and medium-income housing.

The city of Oakland is partnering with non-profit, Hello Housing, to undertake an affordable housing program that would "transform 26 vacant properties into permanently affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents," reports CBS SF Bay Area.
The city's mayor and treasurer see the opportunity for the process to tackle two issues at once. "Schaaf and Levy said the new “Oakland Tax-Defaulted Properties” pilot program has multiple goals, including creating new affordable housing units in the face of an escalating county-wide housing crisis and returning abandoned properties to the tax rolls," according to CBS SF Bay Area.
The project aims to build both single-family homes and rental properties on the currently vacant properties.
FULL STORY: Oakland To Turn Vacant Properties Into Affordable Housing

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie