In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.
"Since 2015, the last time Philadelphians elected a new mayor and City Council, cities around the United States have begun trying to address their housing crises with a variety of housing policies," Jared Brey writes. With a May primary election on the horizon, Philadelphia councilmembers have put forward five bills touching on the issue.
One of them draws on ongoing conversations about inclusionary zoning. It would "require that any public land that is sold for multifamily development set aside at least a third of the units for low-income tenants," essentially mandating inclusionary policies on city-owned land, but only for multifamily developments and not single-family ones.
Another bill takes its inspiration from Councilmember Helen Gym's pilot Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, proposing a Low-Income Tenant Legal Defense Fund that could, according to one report, save $45.2 million per year in costs attributable to homelessness and related issues for an annual outlay of only $3.5 million.
Other bills include legislation to restrict what kind of background information landlords can access, to establish an affordable housing tax credit, and to stipulate that ads for rental listing services include city rental license numbers.
FULL STORY: Philadelphia Sees Election Season Housing Push
Philadelphia Searching for New Affordable Housing Tools
Two proposed pieces of legislation would create a new revenue stream for Philadelphia's affordable housing efforts and protect tenants of existing affordable units.
Connecticut Housing Advocates Call for Zoning Reform
A new report highlights a growing affordability crisis, calling for state-level zoning changes and renter protections.
San Francisco to Reconsider Inclusionary Zoning as Development Slows to a Crawl
Critics of inclusionary zoning frequently point to San Francisco as an example of what not to do. A sluggish year of development has some local politicians ready to reconsider the city’s program.
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)