How U.S. cities are seeking to diversify their funding sources for housing assistance programs and eliminate barriers to housing construction.
In an article for Smart Cities Dive, Kalena Thomhave outlines emerging trends in how cities approach reducing homelessness and alleviating the housing crisis, which continues to impact most American cities. “Just 34 affordable rentals are available for every 100 renters with extremely low income, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.”
As Thomhave notes, some cities are using their local power to reduce zoning restrictions on multifamily housing, enact tenant protection and rent stabilization laws, and outlaw discrimination against housing voucher recipients. “Alongside plans for the construction of permanent housing, cities are also building interim housing: safe, temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness.”
Cities are also looking for ways to reduce dependence on federal housing assistance programs. One such revenue source, the so-called “mansion tax” on transfers of high-value properties, was passed by over a dozen localities since 2018 and could become a significant source of new revenue for affordable housing programs.
Taking a different approach, some cities are taking more punitive measures against unhoused people after a Supreme Court ruling, Grants Pass v. Johnson, paved the way for the criminalization of homelessness.
FULL STORY: How cities could tackle homelessness in 2025
January Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
How a tidal wave of potential changes at the federal level could throw many programs planners depend on into chaos, a roundup of last year’s zoning stories, and the continuing ripple effects of a landmark Supreme Court case.
Report: DC Needs ‘Immense’ Funding Increase to Address Housing Crisis
Close to 60,000 District households can’t afford their housing costs, according to research from the Urban Institute.
Opinion: Unhoused People Need Housing, Not Law Enforcement
The sharp increase in the unhoused population calls for urgent action, not criminalization.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)