Over a quarter of families in Salt Lake City pay half their income on rent, and between 2000 and 2011, median home values increased by 47 percent.
"Mayor Ralph Becker announced last week the 5,000 Doors Initiative — a five-year plan for the creation or preservation of 5,000 affordable housing units across the city," reports Alexis Stephens. "The initiative seeks to make 2,500 of the units available to low-income renters and 2,500 units for homebuyers."
Stephens's reportage includes a conversation with Michael Ackerlow, the city’s director of housing and neighborhood redevelopment, who provides insight into the need for the plan and how the plan will work.
"The 5,000 Doors Initiative is a jumping-off point not only to create a citywide conversation about affordable housing, but visioning the future of housing in Salt Lake City in general. Inclusionary zoning might be on the table, as well as other incentives for developers to create mixed-income housing. Becker’s administration plans to work closely with City Council to create a housing plan that builds on comprehensive housing policy the city adopted in 2012."
Christopher Smart also reported on the plan the week it was released, noting that it's unclear if inclusionary zoning has the political support to make it through the council: "Whether the council has the political will to push for mandated affordable housing in large developments is unclear, said Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall. The council, however, does appear ready to embrace Becker's initiative that focuses on incentives for private-sector development."
FULL STORY: Salt Lake City Mayor Shoots for 5,000 Affordable Housing Units
Kansas City Trying New Approaches to Affordable Housing
After years of neglecting its affordable housing policy, Kansas City is developing a new five-year vision on policy matters like a public-private trust fund and inclusionary zoning.
Not All of San Diego's Inclusionary Zoning Funds Going to Affordable Housing
San Diego finds itself having to explain how its inclusionary zoning program spending diverged from expectations.
Tennessee Legislature Blocks Nashville's 2016 Inclusionary Zoning Policy
Republicans in the Tennessee State Legislature made sure Nashville will never know if its inclusionary zoning policy would have delivered affordable housing in the city.
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.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
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)