Facebook joins as Google in the $1 billion club, though this club plans to spend that money on housing programs to help alleviate the exploding cost of housing in the state of California.
"Facebook on Tuesday committed $1 billion to tackle affordable housing shortages in the Bay Area and around the country," reports Marisa Kendall.
The move cams as a surprise, according to Kendall, but it places the company in very small company among other tech giants paying exorbitant sums of money to help alleviate the state's housing affordability crisis—a crisis that some in the state have blamed on tech companies like Facebook. Google made a similar pledge to spend $1 billion on housing in June 2019. Previously, Facebook had pledged $20 million to help launch a fund that supports housing and jobs in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto.
"Over the next 10 years, that money will help create up to 20,000 homes where teachers, nurses and other essential workers can live closer to the communities they serve, according to an announcement on Facebook’s website. Facebook also unveiled a new partnership with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to build mixed-income homes on excess state-owned land," writes Kendall.
FULL STORY: Facebook pledges $1 billion to fight housing crisis in California and beyond
Apple Pledges $2.5 Billion for Housing Affordability
It's been a big year for tech giants pledging money to mitigate the affordability crisis in the regions and cities they call home. Apple joins a club that includes Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.
NYC Council Approves Brooklyn Rezoning Plan
The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan includes infrastructure investments and could bring 4,600 new housing units to parts of Brooklyn.
The Trouble With QUIMBY
The idea of “quality urbanism in my back yard” has its uses, but should not be used to limit housing supply.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
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.
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)