High housing costs are squeezing a record number of American households.
Roughly half of all American renters spend more than a third of their income on housing costs, according to data from the U.S. Census, with costs rising sharply since 2021. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, “the amount of housing that low-income renters can afford declined nationwide from 2019 to 2022, and that the trend has the biggest impact on extremely low-income Americans—a majority of whom live with disabilities, are caretakers for someone else, or are older adults.”
An article in the Lexington Herald Leader outlines how Kentucky compares to the rest of the country. “In Kentucky, where more than 579.1 thousand people rent their homes, 40.4% are considered rent-burdened, while 20.6% of renters are severely rent burdened.”
High rents not only make it difficult for renters to afford other household needs — they also trap renters in a cycle of tenancy by preventing them from saving for homeownership. And affordable housing is becoming less available for low-income renters, putting many at risk for eviction and homelessness.
Rents Rose Between December and January
After dropping to a three-year low, U.S. rent costs grew in many major cities.
Report: More Than Half of Harris County Households Cost-Burdened
Using a measurement that takes into account more factors in addition to housing costs, a new report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research sheds light on the true crisis facing Houston-area renters.
Spiking Rents Putting More People at Risk of Eviction
Housing costs across the country are becoming more and more unaffordable for low- and moderate-income households, a trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
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