The political support for an expanded set of tenant protections emerged in response to the program of rezonings underway as part of the de Blasio Administration's housing plan.

Sally Goldenberg reports: "The [New York] City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio have reached a deal on legislation that would expand protections for rent-regulated tenants who are being harassed by landlords eager to move them out, renovate and charge much higher rents."
The bill establishes a pilot program, according to Goldenberg, that requires property owners of buildings with recurring housing code violations or recently changed ownership, "acquire a 'certificate of no harassment' in neighborhoods undergoing rezonings as well as targeted low-income neighborhoods."
According to Goldenberg, the bill enacting the pilot program spent a year working its way through negotiations in City Hall. "Council member Brad Lander, a Brooklyn Democrat, pushed the administration to commit to expanding the law as part of the Council's approval of an affordable housing policy in 2016," reports Goldenberg.
The article includes more detail about the challenges the bill responds to—especially in context of the rezoning processes ongoing around the city in neighborhoods like East Harlem. Neighborhoods with recent rezonings, like East New York and Far Rockaway, would also gain the new tenant protections enabled by the new law.
FULL STORY: Mayor, Council reach deal to expand protections for rent-regulated tenants

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)