A decision about how to fund the city of Portland's approach to a worsening affordable housing problem has taken longer than expected.
[Updated 09/08/2016] "High-stakes negotiations dragged on this week inside Portland City Hall, yet again delaying a proposal to increase public funding for affordable housing by as much as $91.3 million over the next 10 years," according to an article by Brad Schmidt.
Affordable housing has quickly become a top political issue in the city of Portland, with " with the City Council declaring a "housing emergency" and Mayor Charlie Hales pledging $30 million in the next fiscal year to fight homelessness."
The question of how to allocate spending for the issues, especially in the city's urban renewal districts, has created problems for the council in recent weeks. "Portland's current policy calls for an aggregate minimum of 30 percent within all districts. But a housing advisory group in August recommended increasing that share -- called the affordable housing set-aside -- to 50 percent," reports Schmidt.
The article includes more details about the political situation and previews the possible actions of the weeks to come.
[The article was updated to reflect the correct dollar amount of Mayor Hale's proposal.]
FULL STORY: Portland delays financial plan for affordable housing
Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.
Portland, Sacramento Propose Banning Camping Citywide
Both West Coast cities are preparing to criminalize sleeping on public streets, claiming new shelter beds will provide enough resources for their unhoused populations.
The Long Road to Portland's Historic Residential Infill Project
How the journey of one zoning reform campaign can inform future efforts.
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.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America
With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?
Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal
Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)