Housing affordability is becoming a major issue in Washington, where workers increasingly have to "drive to qualify".
"Rural counties compete for new business and industry - then find new workers can't afford to live in their gentrifying communities."
"Spiraling city housing costs push workers into ever more distant suburbs - a phenomenow known as 'Drive until you qualify' - thereby defeating the state Growth Management Act's goal of containing urban-level development in cities."
"Affluent retirees and people who can afford second homes move into quaint small communities, driving up housing costs and demanding services that shrinking small-town budgets can't afford."
"Affordable senior housing will be a critical issue as Washington's 65-and-older population increases from 700,000 to 1.2 million over the next 13 years, he said."
"Washington now ranks seventh in the nation in housing costs, and the Seattle area ranks eighth-highest among U.S. cities, Herman said."
FULL STORY: Affordable housing challenges counties
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie