Like many cities around the country, Portland, Maine is faced with rising costs for housing as demand outpaces supply.
Stephanie Bouchard reports on the actions taken by officials in the city of Portland to respond to the city's tightening housing market.
Bouchard's coverage begins by comparing the city of Portland's housing market to the situation in the rest of country, citing research by the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies and case studies provided by housing programs in Boston and Connecticut.
Portland has taken action to address its housing shortage by hiring Jack Kartez, emeritus professor of community planning and development at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service, to produce a report currently under consideration by the city's housing committee. The policy recommendations under consideration include:
- "placing a moratorium on no-cause evictions"
- "improving the rules for accessory dwellings in existing properties"
- "working with partners such as Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate city-owned tax-acquired properties to turn them into affordable housing"
FULL STORY: City acts to ease Portland housing shortage
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?
America’s Housing Crisis: Lessons Ignored and Challenges Ahead
A recent study reveals how decades of policy missteps, demographic shifts, and economic forces fueled America’s housing crisis, leaving millions — especially millennials — struggling amid rising demand, racial disparities, and climate-driven emergencies.
Six Positive Innovations in Housing From 2024
The year saw some encouraging developments in housing and zoning policies that could alleviate the housing crisis and offer renters and homebuyers more diverse options.
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.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)