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

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing
The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.

Why a Failed ‘Smart City’ Is Still Relevant
A Google-backed proposal to turn an underused section of Toronto waterfront into a tech hub holds relevant lessons about privacy and data.

When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing
Kit homes sold in catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward made homeownership affordable for midcentury Americans.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions