Cities struck by the foreclosure crisis are implementing a number of measures to help prevent foreclosures and stabilize neighborhoods already racked by vacancies.
The article features an interview with L.A. City Councilmember Richard Alarcón, whose council district has been especially impacted by foreclosures. In the interview, Councilmember Alarcón details the variety of programs and policies being tested and implemented to help struggling homeowners and dilapidated neighborhoods.
"Since January 2007 we have had over 2,000 homes foreclosed. From July through September of 2008, we had 629 foreclosures. Through the Valley as a whole, we've had an average of 1,000 foreclosures a month over the last 2.5 months. Obviously the unemployment rate is extremely high. The 12 percent measure that the experts have given us is really more like 20 percent in our district."
"We are also working with Neighborhood Legal Aid in Pacoima and ONE L.A. to design a pilot project that would try to get leverage over the banks to provide a discount up to 60 percent. Then the city would come in with a soft second. If the banks come in with a 60 percent discount we could then guarantee the second. We need to renegotiate the loans so that they are in real value terms."
"We have $25 billion in our portfolio now. We should divest from banks that are unwilling to provide first time homebuyer loans and are unwilling to put their banks into working class communities. Pacoima only has one bank and dozens of check cashing operations."
Thanks to James Brasuell
FULL STORY: L.A. Councilman Alarcón Boosts Foreclosure Mitigation Programs
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
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.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.