Kirk Johnson chronicles the nonprofit housing builder's move into larger-scale housing development in Oregon, as it takes advantage of the depressed real estate market, and the kindness of donors.
Although "Across most of the nation, one-at-a-time houses,
financed by church suppers and staffed by volunteer hammer-swingers, are
still the norm for Habitat," as the first phase of the group's largest project in Oregon
history opens this spring on
Portland's east side, Johnson explores the tactical shifts taking place in branches across the country.
"Other Habitat branches have also pivoted in the recession, trying
different angles in a dark time. In Nevada and Florida, for example,
some Habitat groups stopped new construction entirely and shifted to
renovation, buying abandoned properties in cities racked by high
foreclosure rates."
"Business leaders and housing experts said that Portland - partly
through Habitat's timing in betting big in a down market, partly through
a donor network led by Mr. Gray that stepped up to help even as
corporate support mostly collapsed - is creating something that will
resonate long after the recession: Habitat neighborhoods."
FULL STORY: Habitat for Humanity Tries Big-Scale Approach to Housing in Oregon

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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Planning for Universal Design
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Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)