Houston's apartment vacancy rate was among the highest in the nation before Hurricane Harvey, after the storm's destruction many of those homes will likely be put to good use.

With the destruction of Hurricane Harvey, Houston Chronicle reporter Katherine Feser points out the city is lucky to have so much slack in its apartment market. The city's apartment vacancy rate is 7.1% near the highest in the nation. "There's no precedent for the sheer number of people who will need housing, but Houston accommodated many Katrina evacuees in 2005," Feser writes.
For many displaced after the storm, apartments will be a logical choice. "[T]hey're typically more flexible on their lease terms and have properties ready for immediate move in, said Amy Bernstein, broker/owner of Bernstein Realty. Residents also want to be near their homes while repairs are underway, and apartments offer more options," Feser reports.
FULL STORY: Houston's apartment surplus will come in handy after Harvey

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

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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