As the housing crisis deepens, more Americans are saying housing affordability is a top concern in their community.

Almost half of Americans responding to a Pew Research Center survey in October 2021 say finding affordable housing in their community is a "major problem," reports Katherine Schaeffer. An additional 36 percent call affordable housing a "minor problem," while only 14 percent don't think it's a problem at all.
People in the West expressed the highest level of concern, with 69 percent calling affordable housing a major problem. Rural residents showed less concern than urban residents: 40 percent of rural respondents called housing a major problem, while 63 percent of urban dwellers worry about affordability. But some rural communities, like Colorado's mountain towns, are experiencing their own housing crisis as new residents drive up demand and costs.
Interestingly, the results also show partisan differences: 59 percent of left-leaning respondents called affordable housing a major problem, while only 36 percent of right-leaning respondents felt the same.
The survey reflects the steep rise in home prices and rents during the pandemic that are intensifying an existing housing crisis, particularly in major cities, where demand for housing outpaces available supply. Cities and states are scrambling to implement policies that stimulate housing production and encourage increased density in the hopes of relieving pressure on the overheated housing market.
FULL STORY: A growing share of Americans say affordable housing is a major problem where they live

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

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

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.

California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
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
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)