Housing Costs

Million-Dollar Home Sales Jump 25%
The luxury market has been “reignited,” according to Realtor.com.

High Cost of Housing Driving Up Homelessness, Study Finds
A new study from UCLA confirms what past studies have found, that rising rents and housing prices are fueling California's homelessness crisis.

Rents Falling in New York City; New Supply Gets Credit
New York City is seeing an adjustment in the rental market as landlords struggle to compete for renters in a suddenly crowded market.

Formerly Redlined Denver Neighborhoods Are Now Gentrification Hotspots
Prices remain depressed in most formerly redlined neighborhoods, but several such areas in Denver now boast higher home values than the city as a whole.

Can Density Prevent Diabetes?
In Australia, a new study will determine the best ways to make high-density developments healthy places to live.

Housing Prices Growing Fastest in Berlin
Housing prices soared in Germany in 2017, but one city outpaced the world.

Pressing Pause on 'Rent Bidding' Apps
Several new apps allow landlords to place available units out to bid. The city of Seattle is concerned the apps might exacerbate prices in an already expensive rental market.

Is Mass Timber the Solution to California's Housing Crisis?
One writer argues that cost, versatility and visual appeal makes this new building material exactly what the state will need if planned regulatory changes go through.

In California, Policies Spur Rebuilding in the Wildland-Urban Interface
After the worst wildfire season ever, changes to local land use and state insurance rules essentially ensure that the same thing will happen again.
True Affordability: Critiquing the International Housing Affordability Survey
The International Housing Affordability Survey rates affordability in selected urban regions. Although presented as objective research, the IHAS is actually propaganda. Users of this information should be warned about its biases
U.K. Couple Fined for Living in Home Disguised as Garage
Reeta Herzallah and Hamdi Almasri used a fake garage door to live in an area that required a garage space.

Study: It's the Land That's Making Housing Expensive
A new study explains why so many small homes have such a massive price tag in desirable coastal areas: It's not the coast of building; it's the value of the land.

Rents Drop for the Second Consecutive Quarter in Washington, D.C.
A large amount of new rental units have come online in recent months in Washington, D.C., and the housing market has seen a surprising amount of upheaval as a result.

As Rents Increase, Atlanta Ponders a Future Like San Francisco's
Rents are spiking in the city of Atlanta—and the roster of big cities struggling to manage the costs of living grows.
California's Low Unemployment Hides High Levels of Poverty
Because of its high cost of living, California has the nation's highest poverty level, according to the U.S. Census.

Mapping the Differences Between Multi-Family and Single-Family Housing Costs
The city of Seattle provides the geography and market for a housing map that illustrates the differences between single-family and multi-family housing in terms of affordability.

Time Is Money for Housing Developments (and Residents)
While strict, suburban-style regulations often get a bad rap for the lack of housing in high demand cities, the red tape and other obstacles that delay development could be the worst culprit.

Is There a Perfect Density?
This post offers a critique of claims that there is an ideal, "Goldilocks density."

Housing Not Keeping Pace With Employment in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities provide a case study for the role of the housing market in regional employment markets.

Novel Solutions for Affordable Housing
The housing crisis calls for creative solutions.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)