For all the talk of Texas' relatively affordable housing prices, the city of Austin is one of the worst examples of one of the dominant trends in the U.S. real estate market—fewer and fewer options for affordable rental housing.
"Austin’s share of housing units that rented for $800 or less shrunk 20 percent between 2005 and 2015, more than any other metropolitan area," reports Leah Binkovitz. That information is one of the findings included in the latest State of the Nation’s Housing report [pdf] from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. The decline of the number of affordable rental units has been one of the main talking points to emerge from this year's report.
"New Orleans fell just behind Austin, with its portion of rental units at the $800 or below rate shrinking by 19.5 percent," adds Binkovitz. "Houston’s supply of some of its cheapest rental units, meanwhile, shrunk by 13.1 percent in the same time frame."
FULL STORY: Rent for $800 or Less? Share of Cheap Units Available Shrinking in Most Metros
The Affordable Rental Housing Crisis Is Only Getting Worse
The headline from the latest report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies on the state of the nation's housing market focuses on a shrinking, broken rental market.
Harvard Housing Report: Housing Market Still Short-Changing Renters, Young Americans
It's the 30th annual edition of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University's "State of the Nation's Housing" report.
State of the Nation's Housing: Housing Production, Supply Still Coming Up Short
The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University released its annual "The State of the Nation's Housing" report this morning. There are some signs of post-recession normalcy in the housing market for high-income earners.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie