The American Planning Association and the National League of Cities have announced a new partnership to find and implement solutions to the national housing affordability crisis.
The National League of Cities and the American Planning Association (APA) this week announced a new Housing Supply Accelerator in response to the worsening housing affordability crisis in the country. The announcement came within a few days of a report that the average national rent-to-income ratio reached 30 percent for the first time at the end of 2022.
The two organizations are working in “to improve local capacity, identify critical solutions, and speed reforms,” according to a press release from the APA. The press release specifically notes the role of local governments and planners in meeting housing demand. “The Housing Supply Accelerator will help localities do more with their housing dollars and maintain their efforts even after these one-time programs wind down,” according to the press release.
A recent article by Patrick Sisson in Planning magazine lays out the case for zoning reform, undoing the strict prohibitions of multi-family housing and requirements that enabled the car-centric sprawl of the 20th century planning status quo, as a critical solution for the housing affordability crisis in the United States.
Expect more announcements in the near future. The APA promises to reach out in the coming weeks to key housing supply stakeholders, housing association partners, and housing policy partners to participate in the Housing Supply Accelerator.
News coverage of the Housing Supply Accelerator is available from Smart Cities Dive.
FULL STORY: Housing Supply Accelerator
New Playbook Aims to Accelerate Housing Supply in the US.
As communities across the country work to address massive housing shortage and affordability issues, a new guide from the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities can help decision-makers chart a clear path forward.
Maine Legislators, in Search of a Fix for Rising Housing Costs, Consider Zoning Reforms
The housing affordability crisis is a legislative priority in the Pine Tree State.
Has the Millennial Housing Boom Only Just Begun?
The largest, most diverse generation in U.S. history has experienced setbacks, but many are now moving past student debt and the effects of the Great Recession into their prime buying years.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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