"The drilling industry boom in places like Washington County [Pennsylvania] has squeezed the housing market, especially among those looking for lower-priced apartments and homes," reports Stephanie Ritenbaugh.
Ritenbaugh quotes Bryce Maretzki, director of strategic planning and policy for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency [PHFA], who explains that the impact on housing from the Marcellus Shale industry has evolved with time:
"At the beginning, there were a lot of people coming from out of state that were looking for hotels, short-term housing and rentals…That has matured, and now more Pennsylvania residents are in the Marcellus workforce. The income they’re getting is higher, and they’re looking for new housing or renovated housing."
In an effort to improve the availability and affordability of housing in the Marcellus region, the PHFA last week announced a third round of funding—$9.6 million made available to eligible projects. $5 million of that funding will be "generated from fees for wells drilled in 2013, using a formula based on the price of natural gas and other factors." The rest will come through a provision in Act 13, the state’s oil and gas law. "Under the law, municipalities get a portion of the money generated from the shale impact fee. Anything greater than 50 percent of their municipal budget or greater than $500,000 goes to the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement to address housing needs."
FULL STORY: Shale boom means real estate inventory is low and prices are rising
Housing Crunch Comes to Appalachia
Housing shortages are news in San Francisco and North Dakota, even if for different reasons. But parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania are facing the tough policy questions from their own, less documented fracking boom.
Portland's Subsidized Segregation
In the first part of a series examining the failure of Portland-area fair housing, Brad Schmidt explains how a region that prides itself on its progressive values and openness to diversity is "harboring a form of institutionalized racial inequity."
‘Minnesota Nice’ Isn’t so Nice When You Can’t Find a Place to Live
The Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program can help address the scourge of homelessness among Indigenous people.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service