Advocates for linkage fees as a tool to enable the construction of additional have encountered stiff resistance in some of the country's most populated areas.
"Following the lead of other California cities, Mayor Eric Garcetti two years ago proposed charging a fee on construction and using those funds to build affordable housing in Los Angeles," reports Dakota Smith. "But amid mounting questions, a City Council committee last week put off a vote on Garcetti’s plan until late July or beyond."
According to Smith, the fee proposal has encountered opposition from business groups and some academics, "who say the fee would slow construction in a city grappling with a housing crisis." Smith quotes Michael Manville, a professor of urban planning at UCLA, for an example of the academic case against linkage fees.
Rachel Dovey followed up on Smith's reporting with an article for Next City, adding some additional case studies of how other local and state governments have treated linkage fees. The state of Texas, for instance, prohibited linkage fees to preempt an ordinance under consideration in Austin.
FULL STORY: Amid housing crisis, Garcetti's 'linkage fee' proposal remains in limbo
Debating Los Angeles' Proposed Affordable Housing Development Fee
A proposed affordable housing development fee has inspired a debate about how far developments fees can go in generating funds for affordable housing before they finally stop development altogether.
Los Angeles Adopts 'Linkage Fee' for Affordable Housing Funding
Los Angeles is the latest city to adopt a "linkage fee" that charges new development to generate funding for affordable housing, joining cities like Seattle, Chicago, and San Jose.
LA Zoning Reforms Could Yield Up to 250,000 New Homes
A draft plan would speed up permitting for residential projects with an affordability component and make more buildings eligible for adaptive reuse.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Median Home Prices Top $1 Million in Over 200 California Towns
Towns once known for their affordability are seeing sharply rising home prices.
LA County Receives Reconnecting Communities Grants
Seven grant awards totaling $162 million will be used for planning, capital projects, and regional partnerships to reduce environmental harm and improve access in disadvantaged communities.
Seine Pollution Could Hinder Olympic Swim Events
Events like the triathlon could be impacted if tests continue to reveal high levels of dangerous bacteria in Paris’ famous river.
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
City of Cleburne
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
City of Laramie, Wyoming
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.
