Affordable Housing

Aerial view of San Fernando, California.

Honoring Elders: California Tribe Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing

The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians is launching its first senior housing project in Los Angeles County, creating 26 affordable units to serve Native elders and address longstanding housing inequities.

July 29, 2025 - Tribal Business News

View of dense San Diego neighborhood with multi-family buildings.

Which San Diego County Cities Are Building New Housing?

Chula Vista permitted the most new housing units per capita, while El Cajon is adding the least.

July 29, 2025 - Voice of San Diego

Department of Housing and Urban Development building in Washington, D.C. Concrete Brutalist high-rise.

Analysis: Federal Budget Guts Housing Programs

Despite a small increase in the low-income housing tax incentive, deep cuts to other federal housing programs will likely exacerbate the housing crisis.

July 28, 2025 - Shelterforce

Silver Chicago train passing by dense high-rise buildings on elevated track.

Chicago Eliminates Parking Minimums Near Transit

Changes to a city ordinance make it easier to build ‘by-right’ car-free developments near train stations and pave the way for more affordable housing.

July 23, 2025 - Streetsblog Chicago

Dense high- and mid-rise buildings in San Diego, California on a sunny day.

San Diego Wins $14M for Affordable Housing

The funding comes via the state’s Regional Early Action Planning program and will help create close to 1,000 new housing units.

July 22, 2025 - Fox 5 San Diego

Intersection with Mattapan sign in Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

After a Six-Year Struggle, Tenants in Boston’s Mattapan Neighborhood Win Permanent Affordability

When a new owner imposed sharp rent hikes in 2018, tenants organized and fought back. Now, more than 300 housing units will be affordable for the foreseeable future. Here’s how the tenants made it happen.

July 21, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

"Rent Strike - Join Us! One Year Strong" cloth banner hanging on red brick New York City apartment building.

What Zohran Mamdani’s Primary Win Means for the Tenant Movement

The mayoral candidate made a rent freeze central to his campaign. Here's how his supporters used in-person campaigning to clinch a victory, and what's ahead.

July 20, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Wood-framed multi-family building under construction with red crane behind it.

California Creates Housing-Focused Agency

Previously, the state’s housing and homelessness programs fell under a grabbag department that also regulates the alcohol industry, car mechanics, and horse racing.

July 13, 2025 - CALmatters

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

July 11, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8, 2025 - The Spokesman-Review

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

July 6, 2025 - Parking Reform Network

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4, 2025 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Route 66 motel neon sign.

Albuquerque Route 66 Motels Become Affordable Housing

A $4 million city fund is incentivizing developers to breathe new life into derelict midcentury motels.

July 1, 2025 - High Country News

Zohran Mamdani, candidate for NYC mayor, speaking at event outdoors wearing black puffy jacket.

NYC: What Mamdani’s Rivals Can Teach Him About Transportation

The mayoral candidate won on a bold, progressive platform. Some of his opponents had even bolder ideas.

June 29, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Connecticut state capitol with gold dome and modern office buildings in background in Hartford, CT.

Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill

Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.

June 27, 2025 - Housing Wire

Brick building with high-rise under construction with yellow crane in background in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Housing Bond Created Nearly 5,000 Units, But Affordability Remains Out of Reach

Despite better-than-expected results from multiple local housing bonds, housing costs and homelessness remain top of mind for many Oregonians.

June 25, 2025 - Governing

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.

June 13, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Ohio State Senate building nwith modern downtown Columbus skyscrapers in background.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund

The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.

June 12, 2025 - Ohio Capital Journal

Colorful teal, brown, and blue brownstones in New York City with wide stone stairways going up to first floor doors.

The Trouble With QUIMBY

The idea of “quality urbanism in my back yard” has its uses, but should not be used to limit housing supply.

June 12, 2025 - Michael Lewyn

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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