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

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions