There are more vacant properties now than there were at the height of the foreclosure crisis in the United States, and many vacant properties are hanging around in growing cities with a shortage of affordable housing.
"Despite a shortage of affordable housing in many parts of the country, there are more than 6 million vacant, unused housing units, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey," writes Amy Scott.
"That’s more than at the height of the foreclosure crisis, and it doesn’t count empty lots or commercial buildings."
Scott's article starts as a dispatch from the recent Reclaiming Vacant Properties conference, held recently in Atlanta, which can be held up as an example of the under-the-radar challenge of property vacancies in many parts of the country. The surprising persistence of property vacancies in a growing Atlanta especially exemplifies how effective responses to property vacancies will require actions specific to local economic context.
FULL STORY: The vacancy crisis is far from over
Strategies for Discussing Urban Revitalization in Context of Gentrification
With concerns about gentrification sometimes, and in some places, dominating the discussion, it can be difficult to advocate for revitalization.
Debating Public Incentives for Private Developments
A debate common in growing cities around the country is taking place in Atlanta in answer to the question of how much support private developers need from the public.
Affordable Housing Funding Reaches New Heights for Beltline Neighborhoods
The city of Atlanta has allocated $11.9 million of its $45 million budget for the Beltline for affordable housing.
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