Affordable Housing

A family exits from a rowhouse. Picture is identifiably from the 1980s based on the clothing fashion of the family.

How Philadelphia Prevented Mass Evictions

By requiring landlords to enter mediation before filing eviction cases, the city’s eviction diversion program has successfully kept thousands of people at risk for displacement in their homes.

December 28, 2022 - Next City

Group of tents and bins used by unhoused people in Washington, D.C. park with snow

Opinion: Reform D.C. Housing Now

The Washington Post’s editorial board calls for immediate and urgent action to reform the District’s housing policies as the region’s affordability crisis mounts.

December 28, 2022 - The Washington Post

Flooded street in a mobile home community

How Climate Change Threatens Manufactured Housing

A key supply of low-cost housing is under threat from extreme weather, rising sea levels, and other impacts of climate change.

December 22, 2022 - Nexus Media

Multicolored four-story New York City buildings with storefronts on ground floor

New York City Council Wants Community Engagement to Lead Affordable Housing Development

New York Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams have proposed very different responses to the city’s lack of affordable housing.

December 21, 2022 - Brownstoner

Close-up of key in door lock with house-shaped keychain hanging from it

New Federal Plan Aims To Prevent Homelessness

A new White House policy to reduce homelessness seeks to address the root issues that cause people to lose housing and stimulate housing production.

December 20, 2022 - NPR

Row of brick townhomes in Chicago

Chicago’s ‘Teardown Tax’ Slowing the Loss of Two-Flats

A demolition fee designed to preserve affordable housing in older buildings has had some impact on the city’s housing supply.

December 15, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

A sign reads “No Parking” for temporary construction, with a construction crane in the background.

Parking Reform for Affordable Housing Production

The Regional Plan Association published “Parking Policy Is Housing Policy: How Reducing Parking Requirements Stimulates Affordable Housing Production.”

December 14, 2022 - Regional Plan Association

Aerial view of Reno, Nevada against snow-capped mountains in winter

Nevada Makes Historic Affordable Housing Investment

The state announced $500 million in grants to agencies and organizations building or preserving affordable housing in the state.

December 13, 2022 - Tahoe Daily Tribune

New York City Construction

New York Mayor Announces ‘Get Stuff Built’ Housing Plan

Mayor Adams says the new plan will cut building processes by 50 percent to accelerate badly needed housing construction, but parts of the proposal still face hurdles to get approved.

December 11, 2022 - City of New York

Gray houses under construction

U.S. Housing Least Affordable in History

American households are spending more of their income on housing than at any other point in recorded history.

December 7, 2022 - The Real Deal

Aerial view of Yountville, California in Napa County

Napa County Announces Forgivable Loans for Affordable ADU Rentals

Homeowners in the county will be eligible for the loans if they comply with affordability requirements for five years.

December 1, 2022 - Napa Valley Register

A close up image of the exterior of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda illuminated at dusk.

Bipartisan Support for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Expansion

House representatives on both sides of the aisle are calling for legislation that would expand one of the nation’s most powerful affordable housing tools.

November 30, 2022 - Housing Finance

Side view of older woman sitting on gray sofa gazing pensively out of wall-sized window.

Aging and the Housing Market

When wanting to downsize their living situation, some older Americans are startled to find a dearth of smaller housing units in their neighborhoods.

November 29, 2022 - The New York Times

Seattle

Seattle Considering Expedited Design Review for Affordable Housing

An emergency order in April 2020 exempted affordable housing projects from the city of Seattle’s design review process. A new ordinance would allow affordable housing proposals there own path to approval for another two-year test period.

November 22, 2022 - The Center Square

Wood-framed apartment building under construction with red crane in background

America’s Housing Shortage Is More Dire Than We Thought

How much housing does America need to reduce soaring prices? Potentially more than anyone has estimated.

November 22, 2022 - The Atlantic

Light rail train passing under apartments in Pasadena, California

Feds Award $13 Million for Transit Oriented Development

The Federal Transit Administration selected 19 projects aimed at boosting development, affordable housing, and connectivity to transit.

November 22, 2022 - Mass Transit

Aerial view of Alexandria, Virginia from over Potomac River

Alexandria Could Undertake Major Zoning Reform

The city is developing a plan to address housing affordability and equity and encourage more housing production.

November 22, 2022 - Alexandria Now

Musician playing guitar in front of outdoor seating and sidewalk vendors in Houston, Texas

Houston Development Aims to Create Hyper-Walkable, Micro-Living Neighborhood

The 17-acre Second Ward project has spurred both optimism for a more walkable city and concerns about displacement and gentrification.

November 21, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Market Street San Francisco

San Francisco Could Strike Deal on New Tower

The city is leveraging height increases and density bonuses to acquire more properties for affordable housing.

November 16, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

One-story houses dusted with snow in Durango, Colorado with snowy mountainside in background

Affordable Housing Measure Passes in Colorado

A voter-approved measure will set aside existing tax revenue to support affordable housing projects, homeownership initiatives, and rental assistance programs.

November 15, 2022 - The Colorado Sun

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.