Over half of Hawaiian households are ‘rent burdened,’ spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing last year.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed into law two new bills that aim to protect local residents from displacement and create new housing as costs on the island state continue to rise, writes Audrey McAvoy in an article for the Associated Press.
The laws require counties to permit at least two accessory dwelling units on residential lots and allow for residential development in commercially zoned areas, particularly supporting the adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
According to a report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, over half of Hawaii households spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, and just one in five households can afford the mortgage on a median-priced home in the state.
Read the full story: Hawaii governor signs housing legislation aimed at helping local residents stay in islands
Amidst Colorado Affordability Crisis, Just 3% of Residential Land Zoned for Multifamily Housing
A new report suggests loosening restrictive zoning laws on multifamily development could help bring down high housing costs.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Study: Married People Struggle Least With Housing Costs
Both people who live alone and unmarried partners who live together spend more on housing than married couples.
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
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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.
‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development
In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.
California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain
After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
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
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