Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda
The Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda Era Concludes in Seattle
Before YIMBY was a household word and before Minneapolis ended single-family zoning, Seattle's Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) broke the planning status quo.
Seattle Planning Commission Calls for New Residential Density
A recently published white paper written by the Seattle Planning Commission calls on the city to follow in the footsteps of the city of Minneapolis and the state of Oregon.
Seattle Gives Final Approval to 27 Upzones
An historic moment for planning in Seattle: Density bonuses for affordable housing are now allowed all over the city as Seattle implements a big piece of its long-percolating Mandatory Housing Affordability plan.
Anti-Displacement Policies Proposed by Seattle Politicians
The mayor and a councilmember both made potentially sweeping proposals to address displacement as the city moves forward with plans to upzone neighborhoods, in keeping with the Mandatory Housing Affordability policy.
Judge Upholds Seattle's Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, Clears the Way for Upzoning
Since a city judge determined the legality of the long controversial Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, Seattle has been able to move forward with the plan to allow new density around the city.
Gas Stations: Casualty of Seattle's Changing Zoning Priorities
The number of gas stations in the city of Seattle has declined significantly, but in surrounding King County, the number is climbing.
Zoned Out: Seattle Prioritizes Single-Family Residential
In Seattle, most (88 percent) of the city's new housing is being developed in a few small, already dense areas around the city. Most of the city is reserved for single-family housing.
Upzoning of Seattle's Single-Family Zoning Called a 'Disappointing Half-Measure'
A critical analysis of a proposal that would incrementally increase density in parts of Seattle.
Mandatory Housing Affordability Details Released in Seattle
Seattle has released the long-awaited environmental impact statement for the Mandatory Housing Affordability program—a final step in the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda process launched by former Mayor Ed Murray.
Revisiting Single-Family Zoning After a Political Setback
Few cities have gone so far in considering drastic changes to single-family zoning as Seattle did in 2015. Still, the discussion about single-family zoning would have to go a lot further to turn into meaningful reform.
Seattle Could Upzone its Way to Affordability
Seattle is considering a proposal to upzone some of the densest parts of the city as part of its Mandatory Housing Affordability program.
Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Gets Committee Approval in Seattle
A key component of the city of Seattle's Housing Affordability and and Livability Agenda moved forward earlier this week.
8 Ways Exclusionary Zoning Hurts Cities
The Sightline Institute tackles what may be "our most acute urban public policy challenge."
Seattle's Inclusionary Zoning Proposal Falling Short of Expectations
A critical component of the landmark and controversial Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) platform, announced first in July 2015.
Tinkering With Seattle's Microhousing Rules Continues
A local writer evaluates the results of a 2014 ordinance that updated regulations regarding the development of microhousing. The Seattle City Council could once again revisit the regulations as part of the city's HALA process.
Commercial Linkage Fee Approved—Seattle Moving Forward with Affordable Housing Agenda
The Seattle City Council recently took the first legislative step in the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) process.
Op-Ed Calls Density the 'Mortal Enemy of Trees'—Debate Ensues
A surprising argument from an article in Seattle publication Crosscut this week: density is the mortal enemy of trees.
19 Progressive Recommendations for Seattle's Housing Crisis
The Urbanist chose 19 of the progressive recommendations from a total of 65 put forward by the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda Advisory Committee (HALA) committee.
Lesson from Seattle: Zoning Is a Political Debate, Not a Policy Debate
The swift rejection of a proposal to upzone residential neighborhoods in Seattle inspired The Urbanist to evaluate the lessons of the episode. One takeaway: don't demonize single-family homeowners.
Seattle's 'Oh So Human' Hesitations About Change
Seattle's recent Housing and Livability Agenda (HALA) recommendations have created a sensational dialogue about zoning, affordability and neighborhood change. Chuck Wolfe explains how this may create an unprecedented basis for consensus in the city.
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.
Placer County
Skagit Transit
Berkeley County
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
