A combination of factors including a lengthy appeals process and the cost of construction have led to huge disparities in the number of units allocated to each community.

A report from California's state auditor's office highlighted the disparity in affordable housing requirements for different cities, calling the state's approach ineffective and suggesting that the state "improve its statewide housing plan, harmonize its funding programs, and strengthen its oversight of local jurisdictions."
In the eight years leading up to 2021, California "allocated the city of Newport Beach a total of two units of affordable housing," reports Nigel Duara for Cal Matters. Lake Forest, a city of comparable size and population, was allocated 1,097 units. In the same amount of time, Beverly Hills was allocated three units, while Coachella was allocated 2,614. Because local jurisdictions can lobby to change their allocation during the planning stages, "rich cities have been able to build far less affordable housing units than their inland and less-wealthy counterparts."
Regional housing commissions are now using a new allocation process aimed at more equitably distributing housing units. In the most recent cycle of affordable housing allocation, Newport Beach received 4,834 units. Proponents for revised standards argue that despite high density and land costs, there is a strong need for affordable housing in central areas near transit and jobs. "The new formula skews toward more urban, with a focus on proximity to public transit — also part of a climate goal." Cities like Newport Beach have already started the appeals process.
FULL STORY: Newport Beach was supposed to build 2 affordable units in 8 years — why so little?

Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.

Study: Most of Vancouver Is a ‘15-Minute City’
A large majority of Vancouver residents can access a grocery store in 15 minutes or less by bicycle or on foot.

Urban Design, Transport, and Health
The Lancet medical journal published a series of articles that explore how to evaluate and guide urban planning decisions to create healthy and sustainable cities. Live long and prosper!

Detroit Bike Share Celebrates Five Years
In its five years of operation, Detroit’s MoGo bikeshare has added electric and adaptive bikes to its fleet of more than 600 bikes.
Urban Planning Partners
Sandy City
Ada County Highway District
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.