An ambitious set of zoning reforms largely fell flat as developers rushed to submit project applications before new affordable housing requirements took effect.
In an article in The Denver Post, Joe Rubino describes the saga of affordable housing policy in Colorado, where a set of zoning reforms passed in 2022 seems to have yielded few new affordable units. “The sweeping package is now working its way back through the legislature in more bite-sized pieces.”
Cities in the state are making their own adjustments to housing policy to boost affordability. In Boulder, “The city increased its demands on market-rate projects in 2018, now mandating developers provide at least 25% of units as affordable housing, pay cash in lieu of construction into the city’s affordable housing fund or provide other offsets.” City officials say the cash payments let them create more affordable units through the local housing authority, which currently has 1,597 permanently affordable units — the majority of which were built with inclusionary housing funds. In Denver, developers submitted two-and-a-half times as many applications in the three months before the new rules took effect as usual, causing a backlog city officials are still working through.
While some new units have been made available for the lowest-income residents, “little housing is available to middle-income earners, driving them to the periphery of town or to other communities they have to commute from.”
FULL STORY: Boulder’s affordable housing approach was once a trailblazer. Now, Denver is catching up.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Church Housing Movement Takes Hold in Virginia
A Richmond-based congregation plans to build over 200 units on its property, and a proposed state law could lead to more projects like it.
California Housing Advocates Closely Watching Bay Area Rezoning Deadline
California’s reaction to cities that fail to submit compliant zoning plans could reverberate across the state as other regions near their deadlines.
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.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie