The U.S. Department of Justice is taking another look at a development decision made by the Louisville Metro Council in October 2017.
"The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice informed the Jefferson County Attorney’s office last week that it had initiated an investigation into potential race-based discrimination by Louisville Metro Council," reports Joe Sonka.
"The investigation will determine if the council’s vote last year to block an affordable housing development for seniors in Prospect was in violation of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race and other protected classes in zoning decisions," adds Sonka.
The Louisville Metro Council ignored the recommendation of the city Planning Commission in October 2017 when it rejected a proposal to rezone a property to allow a 198-unit, four-story affordable senior housing facility called Prospect Cove.
Fair Housing Act May Cover Renters with Criminal Records
The largest private landlord in the U.S. faces a discrimination suit for refusing to rent to people with criminal records.
Planning Fair: How Fair Housing Intersects with Planning
The successful implementation of fair housing laws requires the active participation of urban planners, land use boards, elected officials, and the wider planning community.
HUD Issues Fair Housing Guidance for AI
AI software used to select tenants or target housing advertisements has the potential to introduce discrimination and bias.
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.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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)