Building homes for low income and special needs populations makes for good television, but not for long-term housing solutions.
Some recipients of TV home-makeover shows, especially those that feature building projects with a time constraint, such as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Renovate My Family," say that the end results "produce unwanted or shoddy work." Some dissatisfied families, as a result, are suing for alleged incompetent and negligent work on their homes. However, in the cases where the work is favorable, the families are unable to pay the increase in property taxes that come with upgrading their homes. Still, others are not pleased with the end products, which do not tailor to their needs. They say that the "producers seem more concerned about seeing a reaction or showing the outrageous than about creating a home that fits its owners." The producers of these shows "acknowledge that construction timetables can be an issue. But it's the time constraint that adds to the drama."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: TV's reality hits home

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service