In looking to adopt some of the radical approaches employed in London to handle homelessness, Canadian cities like Toronto are courting controversy.
Using a program known as the Rough Sleepers Unit--teams of helpers to get people off the street--between 1997 and 2002, London's homeless problem was all but eliminated. Since 2003, however, authorities have been using an anti-social-behavior ordinace (originally intended to deal with the behavior of 'drunks and and idle yong men') to target the more visible effects of homelessness: begging, wandering aimlessly, shouting, and sleeping in public places.As Toronto looks to blend aspects of both programs, critics charge that criminalizing behavior will be costly and do little to address the underlying problem.
Thanks to Eric Arzola
FULL STORY: Britain's radical take on homelessness
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?
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
New York State Budget Includes $68B MTA Capital Plan, Boosts Transit Security
The state’s FY26 budget includes increased investment in transit security, mental health services, and fare evasion enforcement.
Local Governments Sue HUD Over Funding Cuts
A new lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s revised guidelines for housing and homelessness assistance funds will decimate key programs.
California Is Retooling its AV Guidelines
The California DMV is proposing a new framework for light- and heavy-duty self-driving trucks that would enhance reporting requirements and pave the way for autonomous commercial fleets.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions