Though ‘cheap’ is a relative term.
San Francisco’s famously high apartment rents are roughly $500 lower now than at the start of the pandemic three years ago, writes Marcus White in the San Francisco Examiner, the only metro area with over 1 million residents with lower rents now than in 2020.
However, “San Francisco remained firmly entrenched as the second-most expensive city behind New York in March, with a median one-bedroom apartment costing $3,000 and a two-bedroom place costing $4,000.” Rents in other Bay Area cities, meanwhile, remained flat or rose since 2020.
Despite the apparent relief, White notes, renting a one-bedroom apartment without becoming rent-burdened requires an income of over $120,000. But when “Nearly 39% of households [in the city] make no more than $99,000,” affordable housing remains out of reach for many residents.
FULL STORY: SF rent $500 cheaper than at pandemic's start, new report shows
Rising Rents Burden Record Number of Americans
Rising rents, stagnant incomes and the effects of the recession have pushed a record number of Americans to take on hazardous housing cost burdens, says a new report. Low-income renters are especially vulnerable.
U.S. Rent Growth Slows, but Keeps Rising
The pace of rent growth is slowing, but U.S. renters still face growing housing costs in most metro areas.
Rent Increases Highest for Lowest-Income Households
Renters at the lower end of the spectrum see no relief in sight as rent hikes remain stubbornly high.
The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.
Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.
Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.
Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.
Who Benefits Most from Land Conservation Efforts?
A new study estimates that recent land conservation generated $9.8 billion in wealth nationally through the housing market and that wealthier and White households benefited disproportionately.
Richmond Repeals Parking Minimums, Encourages Off-Street Parking and Transit
The Virginia city is replete with underused off-street parking lots, which city councilors hope to make available for parking at more times while encouraging transit use.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
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.
