The foreclosure scourge has moved its way into Oregon, causing some of the highest rates of loan defaults since the 1980s.
"Foreclosures have spread through California, Florida and other states for more than a year. But the national housing decline is just now moving to its next ugly phase in Oregon: A glut of unsold houses, falling prices and vacant foreclosed homes that drive down values for neighboring homes.
More than 2,800 homeowners defaulted on their mortgage in Clark, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties in the third quarter of 2008, according to county records. That's more than 30 defaults a day. In the once fast-growing Deschutes County, 520 people defaulted, up from a low of 51 in the second quarter of 2006.
Across the five counties, defaults were up 107 percent from the same quarter in 2007.
The number of new defaults was still less than 1 percent of all housing units in the counties. But by comparison, Oregon's foreclosures in this downturn are likely to rise to the highest levels since the 1980s recession."
FULL STORY: Foreclosure scourge spreads into Oregon

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.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont