The explosive growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area in recent years has mostly gone toward rental housing, and now the area has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the country.
Steve Brown reports on what could be a surprising takeaway from the Census Bureau's recent Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS): "Dallas-Fort Worth is on its way to becoming a city of renters."
In fact, the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranks eighth among major U.S. cities with the lowest percentage of homeowners, reports Brown. That puts the North Texas city just behind San Francisco on the list. In San Francisco, 55.8 percent of residents own homes. In Dallas, 56.3 percent of residents own homes.
Even a slightly younger version of Dallas-Fort Worth stands in contrast to the current homeownership rate. According to Brown, "D-FW’s homeownership rate has fallen sharply since a peak of 65.2 percent in mid 2010."
In an earlier article, Brown noted that the Dallas-Fort Worth area outpaced the rest of the country in the growth of its apartment market, with about 30,000 rental units under construction.
The fourth quarter HVS was full of surprises from recession trends—including a quick jump in household growth.
FULL STORY: D-FW has one of the country’s lowest homeownership rates

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

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.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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)