Jonathan Massey pens an essay in the journal Places, in which he probes the implications of homeownership as the vehicle by which the microeconomics of household finance and the macroeconomics of a globalized economy are mediated.
In the article, Massey traces the changing history of the relationships of individuals and households to the market and to the state as reflected in homeownership.
Arriving at recent history in the slogans and stories of Occupy protestors (the 99%) decrying federal programs to deal with the affects of the housing crisis on banks and large institutions (the 1%), Massey sees a reflection of, "how homeownership and mortgage finance mediate the economic risks and opportunities of globalization."
In tying their concern specifically to the housing market, and the ideal of homeownership, Massey finds an interesting demographic thrust to the story of a decidedly middle-class "American Dream" gone sour, "The concerns of the poor and working class, like those of people of color, are less evident. So it is perhaps not surprising that so many occupiers, activists and supporters are demanding homeownership support rather than housing opportunities for all."
For which one might point out to Massey that in fact such dashed hopes may belong to a current or former middle class, as well as an aspirational lower class.
FULL STORY: Housing and the 99 Percent

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

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.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie