In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.
"Since 2015, the last time Philadelphians elected a new mayor and City Council, cities around the United States have begun trying to address their housing crises with a variety of housing policies," Jared Brey writes. With a May primary election on the horizon, Philadelphia councilmembers have put forward five bills touching on the issue.
One of them draws on ongoing conversations about inclusionary zoning. It would "require that any public land that is sold for multifamily development set aside at least a third of the units for low-income tenants," essentially mandating inclusionary policies on city-owned land, but only for multifamily developments and not single-family ones.
Another bill takes its inspiration from Councilmember Helen Gym's pilot Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, proposing a Low-Income Tenant Legal Defense Fund that could, according to one report, save $45.2 million per year in costs attributable to homelessness and related issues for an annual outlay of only $3.5 million.
Other bills include legislation to restrict what kind of background information landlords can access, to establish an affordable housing tax credit, and to stipulate that ads for rental listing services include city rental license numbers.
FULL STORY: Philadelphia Sees Election Season Housing Push
Philadelphia Searching for New Affordable Housing Tools
Two proposed pieces of legislation would create a new revenue stream for Philadelphia's affordable housing efforts and protect tenants of existing affordable units.
Connecticut Housing Advocates Call for Zoning Reform
A new report highlights a growing affordability crisis, calling for state-level zoning changes and renter protections.
San Francisco to Reconsider Inclusionary Zoning as Development Slows to a Crawl
Critics of inclusionary zoning frequently point to San Francisco as an example of what not to do. A sluggish year of development has some local politicians ready to reconsider the city’s program.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service