Housing Costs

How the ‘Housing Trap’ Keeps Housing Unaffordable
The financialization of housing uncouples housing prices from local supply and demand. Fixing this requires a new approach.

Colorado Ends Non-Family Occupancy Limits
Local jurisdictions will no longer be able to limit how many unrelated adults can live in a household, a move that supporters say will help lower housing costs and help older adults supplement their incomes and stay in their homes.

Austin Reduces Minimum Lot Size
Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes can make construction more affordable and homeownership available to more households.

After Months of Decreases, Rents Nationwide Are Going Up
Average rents rose by $12 around the country so far this year.

Is California's Housing Situation Turning Around?
Population is stagnant. But housing supply is growing. Is this the beginning of a Great Correction?

Maryland Housing Laws Address Housing Shortage, Establish Renter Protections
An ambitious housing package establishes a Renters Bill of Rights and removes barriers to increased housing production.

LA Parking Reform is Bearing Fruit
Changes to minimum parking requirements near transit lines are spurring more residential development with little or no on-site parking.

Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.

Maine Approves Rent Relief Program
Legislators hope the assistance program will help struggling low-income households avoid eviction.

How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.

Median Home Prices Top $1 Million in Over 200 California Towns
Towns once known for their affordability are seeing sharply rising home prices.

How Financing Restricts the Rental Housing Market
The way apartment buildings are financed has a major impact on supply and costs.

Understanding Average Versus Median Rent
The disparity between these commonly used terms can give vastly different outlooks on the housing market.

Opinion: Unhoused People Need Housing, Not Law Enforcement
The sharp increase in the unhoused population calls for urgent action, not criminalization.

Land Trusts Preserve Affordability, but for Whom?
An analysis of buildings bought by the city for a community land trust in Boston reveals that many prior residents were evicted just before the sales.

Out-of-State Investors Buying Up More Mobile Home Parks
In a trend that has accelerated since the pandemic, over one in five mobile home parks in Maine are owned by out-of-state investors.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing
Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

The Paradox of American Housing
How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis
SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.
Pagination
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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.
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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)