The city of Columbus provides an example of the need for tenant protections in the state of Georgia.
"Columbus officials are hoping a new Georgia law that went into effect July 1 will help curb the number of evictions in the city caused by unresolved repair issues," reports Allie Dean.
"The law, created by the adoption of House Bill 346, means that tenants who seek repairs to their housing can be legally protected from retaliation by their landlords, including rent hikes and eviction," explains Dean.
The city of Columbus, located in Muscogee County, just across the Chattahoochee River from the state of Alabama, saw 1,700 evictions last year. The Muscogee County Marshal's Office served 8,854 dispossessory warrants, "which means landlords filed with the court to evict a tenant," between July 2017 and June 2018.
"According a 2017 estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau, over half of Muscogee County residents are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their household income toward rent. Coupled with a shortage of affordable housing, that puts tenants in a tough spot," according to Dean.
FULL STORY: There were over 1,700 evictions in Columbus last year. How new law helps protect renters.
No Evictions for Less Than $600, Says New D.C. Law
As part of a bill that made many COVID-era tenant protections permanent, the District voted to ban eviction filings for households owing less than $600 in back rent.
Rent Control Debated in the Nation's Capital
District council members and local tenant advocates are engaged in a bit of tug of war about how far the District should go to limit the amount landlords can raise rents.
Rents Falling in New York City; New Supply Gets Credit
New York City is seeing an adjustment in the rental market as landlords struggle to compete for renters in a suddenly crowded market.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association