New data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that the rental market is improving for the most at-risk populations in the country.
According to an article by Lydia DePillis, the country's poorest renters are finally seeing better prospects for their housing needs. DePillis explains the findings of a report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:
"…after more than a decade of housing being out of reach for more and more low-income renters, the number of people with severe housing problems started to ease off between 2011 and 2013, according to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) analysis of those with severe housing needs."
The HUD report counted people with "worst case housing needs." In other words they meet all three of the following criteria: 1) income lower than 50 percent of the area median income, 2) rental costs totaling more than half their income, and 3) no housing subsidies. The article includes some discussion of why fewer people are meeting those criteria.
According to DePillis, HUD is careful to note that the country still has an affordable housing problem, though hopefully this data means the country is turning a corner.
FULL STORY: America’s poorest renters are finally catching a break
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund
The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.
NYC Council Approves Brooklyn Rezoning Plan
The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan includes infrastructure investments and could bring 4,600 new housing units to parts of Brooklyn.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie