The Department of Housing Preservation and Development's "alternative enforcement program," designed to get landlords to make improvements on the city's worst buildings, is not living up to its potential.
"In the campaign's first two years, the department targeted 400 buildings totaling more than 1,200 apartments. Nearly half - 45% - are still in the program because they still have a high number of serious violations or failed to repay the city for repairs.
In addition, the city has recovered from landlords only $10 million of the $23 million spent on repairs even as the cost of renovations rose from $3 million in fiscal 2008 to $11 million in fiscal 2010, according to the city's Independent Budget Office.
Elizabeth Brown, a policy analyst at the IBO, called the campaign a 'very expensive' program with 'mixed' results.
Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn), a sponsor of the Safe Housing Law that created the effort, said the city fell short of goals by not devoting enough inspectors to make sure the buildings stay safe for tenants. 'I would love to hire additional inspectors,' James said."
FULL STORY: Millions lost fixing bad buildings

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

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide
How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana
Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities
An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions