A state constitutional amendment from the 1950s has been used to hold back public housing, but voters could have a chance to strike it down later this year.
A California constitutional amendment, a barrier to the development of public housing, could be up for repeal. The amendment dates back to 1950, the result of backlash against the federal Housing Act of 1949, writes Louis Hansen.
"Californians added Article 34 to the state’s constitution to make it easier to derail public housing projects and preserve segregated neighborhoods, according to the bill’s authors. The article requires voters in a city or county to approve most publicly-funded, affordable housing developments," says Hansen.
While some municipalities have found workarounds to the referendum requirements, the legislation has made it more challenging to get projects off the ground, particularly in rural areas and communities with high poverty levels, adds Hansen. "Louis Mirante, legislative director for California YIMBY, said Article 34 originally targeted public housing but has stifled other types of subsidized, affordable housing development."
California voters have had the opportunity to repeal the amendment three times in the past but have voted it down. If this measure passes in the state assembly, it will appear on the ballot in November.
FULL STORY: A vestige of segregation that could go before California voters next year
California Cities Continue Fight Against State Preemption
Lafayette City Council Member Susan Candell penned an op-ed in support of a lawsuit to invalidate Senate Bill 9 by four Southern California cities, highlighting a recent supportive court filing by UCLA economic geographer Michael Storper.
Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum
Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
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.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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)