Faced with increasing numbers of residents more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs, the mayor of New Orleans has announced his intentions to build or preserve 7,500 affordable units by 2021.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced a new affordable housing plan during the annual "State of City" address this week.
"According to the plan, the city will 'build or preserve' 7,500 affordable housing units by 2021 — with 4,000 units available by 2018, followed by an additional 3,500 units," reports Alex Woodward. To do so, "the city will 'leverage' city-owned property and other public land for affordable housing by reserving tax-adjudicated properties in 'target neighborhoods,' and by increasing its use of 'priority bids' at sheriff’s auctions and public sales." According to Woodward, the city will partner with "the Finance Authority of New Orleans to help people with their downpayments and closing costs, with local employers on incentives for employees to live closer to their jobs, and with the Regional Transit Authority to offer more public transit options in underserved neighborhoods."
The mayor's plan follows the path blazed by a Housing NOLA [pdf] report released last year, which called for 5,000 new units.
FULL STORY: Mayor Landrieu unveils five-year affordable housing plan

Houston Apartments To Be Demolished for Freeway Widening
Despite a federal hold on the controversial freeway widening project, the Texas Department of Transportation is pushing ahead with the demolition of an apartment complex in downtown Houston.

Four ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ Zoning Reforms
An excerpt from the latest book on zoning argues for four approaches to reform that can immediately improve land use regulation in the United States.

San Francisco Just Ended Single-Family Zoning
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to Tuesday to eliminate single-family zoning, but pro-development advocates say additional changes are needed to unleash a wave of construction.

Whitefish ADU Ordinance Could Ease Housing Crunch
Recently approved revisions to the city’s accessory dwelling unit regulations prioritize long-term rentals to increase housing affordability for local renters.

San Jose Begins Lowering Speed Limits
Thanks to a state bill, California cities can reduce speed limits on city streets by 5 miles per hour to improve traffic safety.

Tucson Development Boom Threatens Displacement of Longtime Residents
Median rent in Tucson rose by 30 percent since a year ago, prompting fears of displacement among many residents struggling to afford housing.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Rolling Hills Estates
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
City of Apache Junction
City of Helena
Gallatin County, Montana
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.