The pandemic’s effects continue to impact housing markets, with formerly affordable cities seeing a steep rise in housing costs.
Home prices in what were once some of the country’s most affordable cities continue to soar, reports Mary K. Jacob in the New York Post. In Cleveland, home prices rose by 15 percent in 2024, the largest increase among the 50 largest U.S. cities.
Other cities follow closely behind: Milwaukee housing costs rose by 14.5 percent, Philadelphia’s grew by 14 percent, and Miami home costs rose by 11.8 percent. “Nationwide, home prices rose in all 50 of the largest metro areas for the first time since May 2022, with the typical home now costing $427,670.”
For cities that saw a drop in home costs, like Tampa (0.5 percent), this was in part due to increased housing construction, but also growing concerns about flooding and insurance costs. Austin, Texas saw a significant drop in rents last year following zoning reform and an apartment construction boom.
FULL STORY: America’s most affordable housing havens aren’t so affordable anymore
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.
How Houston Can Be a Model for Housing Reform
The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.
NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities
Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
USDOT Could Pull Green Infrastructure Grants
A new department memo requires a review of projects with the goal of removing bike, pedestrian, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
What Makes Rent ‘Fair’
Should monthly charges be pegged to the cost of financing, developing, and operating housing, or to household income? Or are there other ways to design how rent is calculated?
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
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.
Strategic Economics Inc
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service