Housing Supply
Land use and zoning reform is not a magic wand, and effective changes to any planning regime change requires careful work. A new report Urban Institute provides case studies and guidance on how to achieve desired outcomes from a reform process.
Urban Institute
Feature
An excerpt from the new book by Shane Phillips, "The Affordable City," published by Island Press.
There are significant differences between Proposition 21, a statewide rent control measure on the ballot in California, compared to a similar measure defeated soundly by voters in 2018.
Los Angeles Times
Looking for change in the housing supply? "Don't stop at the zoning code and think you're done. There's so much work left to do."
Strong Towns
As reported earlier this month, the Massachusetts Legislature is poised to approve historic statewide land use reforms that would preempt local control of residential development. Here's a detailed account of how the state arrived at this moment.
Shelterforce Magazine
A few jurisdictions have gone beyond conformity with state law to encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units in the state of California, like in San Diego.
Next City
Four developers tried, and four developers failed, until the San Francisco Board of Supervisors changed the story in August 2020.
San Francisco Chronicle
After several failed attempts, Massachusetts Legislature is close to a breakthrough on the Housing Choice initiative proposed by Governor Baker as a tool for generating a lot of new housing supply in the state.
The Boston Globe
The county of Los Angeles is looking for policy tools that will add affordable housing units to the housing market. Inclusionary zoning is its policy of choice.
Urbanize.LA
A new report explores the untapped housing opportunities for the region around New York City, and suggests planning tools for adding hundreds of thousands of housing units without building hundreds of thousands of new buildings.
Regional Plan Association
For insights into the gentrification of U.S. urban areas, researchers studied high-income buyers of housing in lower-income neighborhoods. To slow gentrification, the housing supply must be boosted, say the researchers.
Urban Institute
While fewer houses are being bought and sold in the first months of the pandemic, prices are on the rise as buyers find less supply available on the market.
CNBC
"This is a housing disease."
Inside Housing
A recession is coming, though we don't know how big it will be or how long it will last. Compared to the Great Recession, the housing market could potentially help, rather than hurt, economic recovery, according to the analysis shared here.
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
A proposal for the development of a mass timber high-rise in First Hill is under community review in Seattle. The project, which adjusted plans to add an additional 6 floors, proposes the tallest mass timber building in Seattle.
Capitol Hill Seattle Blog
Does new market rate housing increase the average cost of housing, by inducing demand, or does it help stabilize the housing market by offering new supply? The debate continues in San Francisco.
Curbed San Francisco
A controversial but sweeping housing initiative in New York City, one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's signature initiatives, had a full head of steam before the coronavirus. Now it's facing drastic cuts.
Politico
A study recently published by the District of Columbia offers supporting evidence to a supply-side approach to housing affordability in high-demand markets.
District of Columbia Office of Revenue Analysis
California State Senator has released draft legislation to follow up on the previous SB 50, which in turn followed up on SB 827. The new bill, SB 902, promises a "light touch."
KQED
State legislation would preempt local governments that block the construction of accessory dwelling units, known locally as coach houses, to increase the supply of affordable housing options in the state.
Crain's Chicago Business
