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.
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.
FULL STORY: Housing Supply Accelerator
New Playbook Aims to Accelerate Housing Supply in the US.
As communities across the country work to address massive housing shortage and affordability issues, a new guide from the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities can help decision-makers chart a clear path forward.
Maine Legislators, in Search of a Fix for Rising Housing Costs, Consider Zoning Reforms
The housing affordability crisis is a legislative priority in the Pine Tree State.
Has the Millennial Housing Boom Only Just Begun?
The largest, most diverse generation in U.S. history has experienced setbacks, but many are now moving past student debt and the effects of the Great Recession into their prime buying years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago
A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association