Mountain towns in Colorado and other western states are struggling to maintain a supply of affordable housing for their workers and lower-income residents.
Mountain towns across the West are taking a wide array of approaches to their growing housing crisis as lower-income residents find it increasingly difficult to access affordable housing.
According to an article by Nick Bowlin in High Country News, a new report reveals just how varied these approaches are. As Bowlin explains, “The report was produced by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG), a voluntary association of 30 local governments, including some of the state’s most iconic — and expensive — ski areas.”
The report summarizes the state of housing in over 40 local jurisdictions, mostly in Colorado. Key findings include the need for local governments to get involved, noting that “public entities need to play an active role in the housing market” to keep housing affordable for workers and other residents. The report also highlights creative ways governments are working to create and keep affordable housing, such as building housing on federal land and preserving mobile home parks and protecting their residents from evictions and rent spikes.
Read the full story: Mountain towns are trying all sorts of solutions to the housing crisis
How Much Are Short-Term Rentals to Blame for the Housing Crisis?
Whether and how deeply Airbnb and other short-term rentals affect housing costs depends largely on local conditions and economies.
Spain Fines Airbnb $75 Million After Crackdown on Unlicensed Rentals
The government took action after residents in tourist centers protested, blaming tourist rentals for a growing housing crisis.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority