Building on the roughly 76 million square feet of vacant land already zoned for multifamily housing could create badly needed rental housing units and slow the growth of rent prices.
If Dallas were to develop the 475 vacant lots already zoned for multifamily housing in the city, it could build as many as 100,000 new housing units, reports Alexandra Both in an analysis on RentCafe. Both points out that “That’s more than the total number of apartments built in the city since 2000.”
RentCafe created a map of vacant lots and zoning restrictions in Dallas, revealing the zip codes that could house the most new rental housing. The RentCafe analysis found that, in addition to the 76 million square feet of vacant parcels already zoned for multifamily housing, “in total, Dallas has more than 494 million square feet of vacant land scattered around 3,152 parcels that could be used to build more housing” if rezoned to allow multifamily development.
According to Both, “Through strategic rezoning, the city could unlock even more potential for affordable and diverse housing options, that would not only alleviate the housing shortage but also drive Dallas towards a more equitable future.”
Developers blame the city’s long, uncertain permitting process and high fees for discouraging more construction. A bill proposed in the state legislature, House Bill 14, would let developers use a third party contractor to perform reviews and approve permits if the city doesn’t do so within a 15 day deadline.
FULL STORY: Unlocking Dallas’ Housing Potential: Existing Vacant Land Could Hold 100,000 New Apartments
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
New Jersey Calls for 85,000 New Housing Units
A state law known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine mandates that each jurisdiction accommodate enough new housing units to meet the local demand for affordable housing.
Zoning Reform Is Working in Minneapolis
The city has grown its housing stock and limited rent cost increase to just 1 percent.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions