Affordable Housing

Boston T

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.

December 29, 2016 - The Boston Globe

Seattle Mixed Use Development

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.

December 26, 2016 - Next City

Portland Statue

Inclusionary Zoning Now the Law in Portland, Oregon

Portland's new inclusionary zoning policy will go into effect in February.

December 23, 2016 - The Oregonian

Second Home

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.

December 21, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Suburban Pittsburgh

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.

December 21, 2016 - Keystone Crossroads

California

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.

December 20, 2016 - KQED: California Report

University of Pennsyvlania

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.

December 20, 2016 - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

The U.S. Treasury

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.

December 13, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

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.

December 13, 2016 - UrbDeZine

facebook

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.

December 10, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Julian Castro

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.

December 6, 2016 - CityLab

East Berlin

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.

December 3, 2016 - City Observatory

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

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.

November 29, 2016 - The Citizen

Affordable Housing Aimed at Artists Cropping Up In LA.

Los Angeles is building several affordable housing projects for artists.

November 25, 2016 - KPCC

Los Angeles in 1939, as determined by the  Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).

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.

November 19, 2016 - Modern Cities

Seattle City Council

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.

November 18, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Porch

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.

November 17, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC Sees the Pros and Cons of 6,000 New Apartments

Traffic Congestion, Parking Shortages, New Shopping Opportunities, Housing for Millennials, Economic Development! Charleston, South Carolina residents' reaction to over 6,000 planned or in development apartment units runs the gamut.

November 17, 2016 - The Post and Courier

Salt Lake City

Housing Advocates Push Affordability Agenda in Salt Lake City

With an estimated housing gap of 7,500 units and an apartment vacancy rate of 2 percent, Salt Lake City needs to do more to address an affordable housing shortage, advocates say.

November 16, 2016 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Desert Signage

Affordable Housing Measure Passes in L.A. by Wide Margin. Now What?

An affordable housing measure passed in Tuesday's election has developers saying they may scrap existing building projects, meanwhile the bill’s supporters argue that the new rules will help break the housing crunch plaguing the area.

November 14, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

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.

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.