Despite a contractual obligation, Hoyt Street Properties under-built 258 affordable housing units in Portland's Pearl District. The city has to react.
Portland's Pearl District brought promise of housing Portlanders of all incomes in its 34 acre transformative development. A major developer in the district, Hoyt Street Properties, churned out nearly 2,000 apartments and condos within 17 years. So far though, only 30 percent (and not 35 percent) of the units are classified as affordable housing, and with the building of another three complexes in the pipeline, that number will be reduced to 28 percent.
As reported by Brad Schmidt of The Oregonian, despite "knowing for months about the shortfall and a quickly approaching Sept. 8 deadline to exercise its purchase option, officials with the city have taken no documented steps to force Hoyt Street to sell land for modestly priced housing."
Schmidt spoke with Traci Manning, director of the Portland Housing Bureau, who said that the city is working to get the "best information" before deciding how to react. She said regardless of how Hoyt Street's affordability record is measured, "it will be close to target."

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