As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.

Writing in Bloomberg CityLab, M. Nolan Gray and Salim Furth describe the wave of ‘YIMBY’ zoning reform sweeping the nation. From California to Rhode Island, states are taking a formerly local matter into their hands in an effort to alleviate the housing crisis.
“According to a new report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, more than 200 housing bills were introduced in at least 23 states. The shift follows the national spread of a housing affordability crisis once contained to the urban coasts.” Even usually reticent states like Montana passed sweeping reforms permitting more housing types. “Meanwhile, Florida legislators passed the Live Local Act, broadly preempting local zoning barriers to housing. The bill allows mixed-income housing — built to the highest allowable density in the municipality — in all commercial and industrial zones, as long as some of the units are reserved for workforce housing.”
It may take years to see the effects of zoning reform, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. According to the authors, “The work pays off. California’s legislative focus on allowing ADUs has resulted in tens of thousands of newly permitted units, largely in areas off-limits to apartments.”
FULL STORY: What the YIMBY Winning Streak Means

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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