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.

"Apple said it will direct $2.5 billion toward affordable housing in California, the latest tech giant to pledge money to one of the state’s most pressing problems," report Andrew Khouri.
In January, Microsoft announced $500 million for affordable housing in the Seattle area. Google announced $1 billion in June for affordable housing in the Bay Area. Facebook was the most recent to pledge a huge sum of money for affordable housing, with a $1 billion promise made in October.
Now Apple joins the club and raises the stakes. "Apple will spread its money out in a variety of ways, including a $2-billion investment in partnership with the state of California," according to Khouri. Of that total, the company will invest $1 billion into an investment fund that finances very low- to moderate-income housing. Another $1 billion "will allow the state to help more first-time home buyers with financing and down payment assistance," according to Khouri.
"In addition to the $2 billion that will be invested in partnership with the state, Apple said it will use $300 million worth of its land in San Jose for affordable housing development." Another $150 million will be donated to a Bay Area-specific affordable housing fund, and the final $50 million will go to Destination: Home, a Silicon Valley nonprofit that does street outreach to homeless populations.
Additional coverage of Apple's housing contributions, published by the the New York Times, is provided by Kevin Granville and David Yaffe-Bellany.
FULL STORY: Apple pledges $2.5 billion to address California’s affordable housing problem

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

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.

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