Millions of people who depend on the Department of Housing and Urban Development would face "frightening" living conditions under proposed budget cuts.
"President Bush's budget proposal would terminate the $4.7 billion Community Development Block Grant program, which communities large and small have used to fund recreation centers, day-care facilities, literacy programs, and opportunities to improve low-income housing. This indefensible assault on programs which assist the working poor is an alarming trend over the last four years. Consequently it is no surprise, despite the superpower status economically and militarily, this country has the highest poverty rate and the lowest success rate in reducing poverty out of all industrialized nations. The cuts to HUD are guaranteed to widen the nation's already increasing economic inequality. While eliminating the HOPE IV program for 2006, the President has also requested Congress to rescind the $143 million it had already approved in the 2005 budget. HOPE IV helps agencies create mixed-income communities by replacing severely distressed public housing and also provides housing assistance for AIDS victims and the disabled. The unspoken mantra of this administration appears to be hardworking, disadvantaged citizens cannot turn to their government for assistance."
Thanks to Michael Dudley
FULL STORY: Housing and Urban Destruction
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Amtrak Takes Lead on Texas Central Rail
The high-speed rail project isn’t a done deal, but if it moves forward, trains could begin operating in 2030.
Maine Approves Rent Relief Program
Legislators hope the assistance program will help struggling low-income households avoid eviction.
How Transit Architecture Impacts Real and Perceived Safety
More than a third of Americans believe major transit systems are too unsafe to ride. The built environment can change that.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.