The program is aimed at helping local and state governments spur housing construction by reducing regulatory barriers.
A $100 million round of federal grants will target state and local efforts to boost housing construction through eliminating regulatory barriers, reports Kriston Capps in Bloomberg CityLab. According to Capps, “Actions across a number of cabinet-level agencies will address permitting, financing and regulations in order to speed up construction.”
Instead of funding individual projects, the goal is to build long-term capacity for increasing the supply of homes organically by providing carrots to cities to reform their zoning ordinances. For example, leaders in Bend, Oregon, received a $5 million grant to develop a five-year plan to ramp up housing construction and address ongoing infrastructure limitations.
The program aims to support local governments in zoning reform efforts. “The HUD and the Department of the Treasury are also expanding low-cost federal financing available to state and local housing agencies through an innovative public-private risk-sharing initiative that has seen tens of thousands of new affordable housing units built since 2021.”
FULL STORY: Biden Invests $100 Million to Fuel Housing Construction
The Rise of Zoning Reform
As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.
Lawsuit Aims to Stop NYC’s ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Reforms
A lawsuit brought by local lawmakers and community groups claims the plan failed to conduct a comprehensive environmental review.
New Jersey Affordable Housing Law Turns 50
The Mount Laurel Doctrine tasks each city and town with creating enough affordable housing to meet their needs, but half a century after its passage, the law still faces opposition in some parts of the state.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions