The California Statewide Communities Development Authority hopes that a new program, which helps cities purchase rental properties with no upfront cost, will lead to an increase in affordable middle-income housing.

California's Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) is launching a new bond program aimed at making housing affordable for middle-income residents.
Through its current initiatives, the CSCDA issues bonds that help cities pay for new housing development projects that include affordable units for low-income renters. But many moderate-income renters fall through the cracks when it comes to housing assistance, says CSCDA managing director Jon Penkower. Those who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but not enough to afford market rates, he says, "can’t get tax credits, there’s no federal subsidy, no state subsidy, no local money — there’s nothing." The new Workforce Housing Program addresses the needs of this "missing middle" by issuing tax-exempt bonds to cities for the purchase of rental properties that can be repaid in 30 years.
The program lets the authority buy existing market-rate buildings at no upfront cost to the city and work with the local government to set rents that are affordable to those making 80%-120% of the area's median income. According to federal government guidelines, "affordable" housing should cost no more than 30% of a tenant's income, a tall order in a state notorious for its high housing costs.
Several California jurisdictions have already joined the program. In Anaheim, the CSCDA has secured the purchase of three properties in the up-and-coming Platinum Triangle neighborhood. A spokesperson for the city called the decision "a no-brainer," citing the program as "a great opportunity to help our police officers, firefighters, and teachers," many of whom fall into the overlooked middle income bracket.
FULL STORY: California Bond Program Helps Cities Secure Middle-Income Housing Without Upfront Cost

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.

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

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.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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