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, 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.
Portland's Inclusionary Zoning Effect Measured, Criticized
It's been over four years since the city of Portland implemented an inclusionary zoning policy that required all new apartment developments to set aside a portion of units for low- and moderate-income housing.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials
C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.
BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle
Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.
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.
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland