A new program underway at the San Francisco Arts Commission would make it easier for artists to gain access to the city's stock of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.

The San Francisco Arts Commission is taking steps to ease the process of applying for affordable rental housing—for artists, at least. TK reports:
The Arts Commission is working on a provocative plan that would designate some affordable housing units specially for artists. "Units specifically earmarked for people who qualify as working artists or cultural workers," says Tom DeCaigny, the city's director of cultural affairs. "So it would increase their chances within the lottery."
The program is reacting to the difficulty for artists in applying for the city's affordable housing lottery. The new program would grant artists special status in applying for affordable housing, like veterans or people with disabilities. In 2016, the city of San Francisco granted a low cost housing preference to teachers, and has begun developing rental units especially for teachers.
FULL STORY: San Francisco Looks to Create Low-Cost Housing Preference for Artists

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont