Major employers and economic drivers like universities can use various tools to make housing more affordable for their students and staff.
In a piece for Smart Cities Dive, Eric Maribojoc describes how ‘anchor institutions’ such as universities can help alleviate the housing crisis faced by many cities.
Maribojoc outlines how some colleges and universities have launched programs aimed at supporting affordable housing for their employees and communities. According to Maribojoc, “Their interventions are not only effective for their communities, but also fiscally responsible investments with steady returns.”
The University of Virginia leased two plots of land to developers for new housing, while “Durham Technical Community College, in North Carolina, is contributing a 10-acre location to a partnership with the Bank of America, Mosaic Development Group, and the Partnership for Southern Equity to build housing with a preference for their students.”
Some schools that don’t own underutilized land are subsidizing housing grants for their staff, while others are helping students experiencing housing insecurity access housing services.
Maribojoc adds, “While it may seem like a risky investment, our research found that institutions that provide funds for lending to affordable housing see steady returns of between 2% to 3% a year.”
FULL STORY: Colleges can take steps to address the affordable housing crisis
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
Rents Rose Between December and January
After dropping to a three-year low, U.S. rent costs grew in many major cities.
National Survey Shows ‘Severe, Widespread, and Worsening’ Housing Crisis
Mayors from around the country agree that more support is needed at the federal level to strengthen housing assistance programs.
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.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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