Arizona lawmakers have proposed a bill that would boost the state's affordable housing fund and increase density in some residential areas.
A proposed bill in the Arizona state legislature "would add tens of millions of dollars to the state's low-income housing trust fund," reports Morgan Loew. But, in an unsurprising move, the bill has drawn criticism for its proposed adjustments to the state's zoning laws from opponents who worry about the effects of eliminating single-family zoning. "The bill would require municipalities to allow eight single-family dwellings per acre or 12 two-family dwelling units per acre on other specified land, regardless of current residential zoning."
Single-family zoning has recently been in the crosshairs of many local and state lawmakers as the housing market becomes increasingly unaffordable for many American families. Critics of single-family zoning argue that the designation has a long history of being used to exclude low-income and minority groups, encourages sprawl, and keeps the housing supply unsustainably low. Around the country, cities and states have eliminated single-family zoning as part of efforts to boost housing construction and encourage higher density and infill development, legalizing more housing types such as duplexes and accessory dwelling units (also known as 'missing middle housing').
FULL STORY: Affordable housing plan would rewrite residential zoning laws
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.