Neal Peirce discusses the 30-year history of LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), which he points to as a true success story in the struggle to provide affordable housing.
Peirce says that one major reason for LISC's success is that it is neighborhood-focused:
"Second, it engages grassroots local organizations - community development corporations in particular - as its partners. And third, it has close ties to significant non-governmental capital - foundations (including Ford, its founder), and major corporate funders."
Peirce looks at what's next for LISC, including a significant effort to put markets into "food deserts" and starting charter schools.
Read the full story: A 30-Year Success Story: What’s Next for “LISC”?
Pension Funds Can Save Affordable Housing
New York demonstrates how pension funds can be a major source of financing for affordable housing.
TOD in L.A.'s Low-Income Communities Gets $100 Million Boost
With L.A.'s transit system expanding its footprint and growing its ridership, $100 million in development capital from a national philanthropic organization will help fund projects around stations in the city's underserved communities.
Looking Beyond Shelter to Help Low-Income People
Neal Peirce looks at the new concept of "comprehensive community development," which expands the scope of affordable housing to include jobs, schools and public safety.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority