APA Announces New ‘Housing Supply Accelerator’ in Partnership with the National League of Cities

The American Planning Association and the National League of Cities have announced a new partnership to find and implement solutions to the national housing affordability crisis.

2 minute read

January 26, 2023, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gray houses under construction

Kwangmoozaa / Housing construction

The National League of Cities and the American Planning Association (APA) this week announced a new Housing Supply Accelerator in response to the worsening housing affordability crisis in the country. The announcement came within a few days of a report that the average national rent-to-income ratio reached 30 percent for the first time at the end of 2022.

The two organizations are working in “to improve local capacity, identify critical solutions, and speed reforms,” according to a press release from the APA. The press release specifically notes the role of local governments and planners in meeting housing demand. “The Housing Supply Accelerator will help localities do more with their housing dollars and maintain their efforts even after these one-time programs wind down,” according to the press release.

A recent article by Patrick Sisson in Planning magazine lays out the case for zoning reform, undoing the strict prohibitions of multi-family housing and requirements that enabled the car-centric sprawl of the 20th century planning status quo, as a critical solution for the housing affordability crisis in the United States.

Expect more announcements in the near future. The APA promises to reach out in the coming weeks to key housing supply stakeholders, housing association partners, and housing policy partners to participate in the Housing Supply Accelerator.

News coverage of the Housing Supply Accelerator is available from Smart Cities Dive.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 in American Planning Association

Aerial view of snowy single-family homes in suburban Long Island, New York

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition

Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

March 20, 2023 - Mark H. McNulty

Empty parking garage at night with yellow lines marking spots and fluorescent lighting

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City

In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.

March 16, 2023 - The New York Times

A futuristic version of New York City, with plants growing neatly on top of modern skycrapers.

Friday Eye Candy: 20 AI-Generated Cityscapes

AI-generated images are creating new landscapes and cityscapes, capable of inspiring awe or fear.

March 17, 2023 - Chris Steins via Medium

A group of wetsuit-clad swimmers gathers to talk in shallow water near the shore of the San Francisco Bay.

Proposed Pool Would Make an Olympic-Sized Play Area in the San Francisco Bay

The San Francisco Bay is usually an undesirable place to swim, except for a hearty few. A development proposal seeking assistance at the state level would add a pool to the Bay’s waters to make the idea of going for a swim more appealing.

March 24 - The Mercury News

Chicago elevated train over busy city street surrounded by high-rise buildings

Chicagoland Transit Agencies Call for State Funding as Budget Shortfall Looms

Illinois transit agencies want to see changes to a law requiring them to collect half of their revenue from transit fares, arguing that low ridership and staffing shortages will lead to a massive budget gap without intervention.

March 24 - Crain's Chicago Business

Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

Panel: Minneapolis Zoning Updates Should Reflect Mixed-Use Future

A discussion of post-pandemic changes in work and commuting concluded that the city’s overhaul of its zoning code should be less restrictive with land uses.

March 24 - MinnPost

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.