Affordable Housing

Building Small to Make California Homes More Affordable
A Santa Ana small lot development could be an example of how California could become more affordable by building more dense urban-style homes throughout the state.
How Seattle Houses the People Who Need it Most
The Seattle Weekly explores the question of how Seattle, a quickly growing and desirable city, is working to ensure housing options for its low-income residents.
Seattle's Incentive Zoning Pays Out Funding for Affordable Housing Projects
Seattle's incentive zoning program is paying dividends and funding projects. Look for 110 affordable units to be built in the Capitol Hill neighborhood by 2019.

Showdown Looming in Cambridge Over Inclusionary Zoning
The city of Cambridge has until April to decide on a proposed policy that would greatly expand the number of affordable units required in new development projects.

New Seattle Loan Fund Finances Affordable Housing
As excitement builds around Seattle's voter-approved transit expansion plan, the REDI Fund will preserve space for low and middle-income residents in new transit-oriented developments.

Inclusionary Zoning Now the Law in Portland, Oregon
Portland's new inclusionary zoning policy will go into effect in February.

Bill Would End Tax Breaks for Second Homes in California
AB 71, originating from the California Assembly, would raise funding for low-income housing construction by ending an existing tax break for second homes.

New Pittsburgh Tenants Union: 'A Long Time Coming'
A new citywide tenants union, designed to provide an umbrella for smaller organizations and new levels of education and access to renters, is taking shape in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Another Attempt at California's By-Right Affordable Housing Proposal
The new streamlining bill for affordable housing will not have the governor's name, but that of freshman Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, who made a name for himself as a tenacious housing advocate while San Francisco County Supervisor.

Low Cost Housing Units Disappearing from Philadelphia's Gentrifying Neighborhoods
Researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia find evidence of displacement in Philadelphia's gentrifying neighborhoods.

It's Not Just HUD
Though the HUD choice seems an odd, unqualified one, we should be looking beyond HUD however: Here's why Mnuchin at Treasury is even more worrisome.
Pasadena's Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Called Out as a 'Poison Pill'
Pasadena's accessory dwelling unit is designed more to prevent than accommodate accessory dwelling units. Planner and Pasadena resident Jonathan P. Bell implores the city's Planning Commission to reform it.

Facebook to Donate $20 Million for Housing and Jobs in its Own Backyard
Facebook has decided that being a good neighbor means donating funding toward affordable housing.

What Will A Trump Presidency Mean for Fair Housing?
Rules protecting minorities' access to housing have been strengthened under the Obama administration. That progress could be lost under a HUD Secretary who opposes Fair Housing altogether.

What Happened When Berlin Tried Rent Control?
Enacted in 2015, Berlin's "Mietpreisbremse" ordinance limits rent increases on some (but not all) apartments. According to this study, results have not been ideal.

Philly's Healthy Rowhouse Project Adds a New Low-Interest Loan Program
Philadelphia seeks $60 million bond issue to preserve existing affordable homes and improve residents' health. City seeks to offer city loan guarantee to embolden lenders to extend credit to homeowners with lower credit scores.
Affordable Housing Aimed at Artists Cropping Up In LA.
Los Angeles is building several affordable housing projects for artists.

Revealed: Inequality And Urban Flight Were Products Of The Federal Government.
If you believe sprawl just magically happened, here's something that visually suggests otherwise.

Seattle City Council Parts With Mayor on Affordable Housing Funds
Political drama connected to the funding of affordable will require changes to the mayor's proposed city budget.

Housing Doesn't 'Filter,' Neighborhoods Do
Housing advocates tend to agree that we need to supplement market-rate luxury development with subsidized affordable housing, but rarely do we ask the market to provide housing for people further down the income ladder. That's bad policy.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions