Taking steps to prevent Oakland from becoming the next San Francisco, the East Bay city passed a 90-day moratorium on certain kinds of evictions.
"Earlier this month in a packed city hall meeting that ran past midnight, the Oakland city council made the first step in addressing the city’s housing crisis, unanimously approving a 90-day moratorium on evictions without cause and on rent increases above 1.7% per annum," according to an article by Nate Berg, who also notes the city feel short of declaring an "official state of emergency" regarding the housing crunch.
Berg provides access to residents and activists in the city, who explain the difficult circumstances encountered by many long-term residents, especially renters living the city. Among those Berg interview for the story is also Oakland City Council president Lynette Gibson McElhaney, who "says the moratorium will give the city a chance to clear up and revise its tenant protection laws, and to make sure tenants can get the information to know whether their rent increases or evictions are legal in the first place."
The Committee to Protect Oakland Renters is taking steps to lead that effort, drafting a tenant protection policy it hopes to qualify for the November citywide ballot.
For a blow-by-blow account of the aforementioned city council hearing, see an article by Ken Epstein from earlier this month.
FULL STORY: Oakland's housing crisis: 'I’m the last one here. I don’t know if I can stay or go'
Unpacking the Idea 'More Housing Equals Lower Prices'
It makes economic sense: increase supply in desirable areas to match demand. These articles look at some of the factors complicating that story in on the west coast.
Evictions on the Rise in California
As rent costs continue to grow and eviction protection programs lapse, eviction rates are spiking across the state.
How Ownership Structure Impacts Eviction Rates
A new study from Boston reveals that large landlords, who are less likely to live near their tenants, execute far more eviction filings than smaller property owners.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Tenant Advocates: Rent Gouging Rampant After LA Wildfires
The Rent Brigade says it's found evidence of thousands of likely instances of rent gouging. In some cases, the landlords accused of exploiting the fires had made campaign donations to those responsible for enforcement.
Seattle’s Upzoning Plan is Ambitious, Light on Details
The city passed a ‘bare-bones’ framework to comply with state housing laws that paves the way for more middle housing, but the debate over how and where to build is just getting started.
DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.
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 Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada