To boost the state's housing supply, some New York lawmakers want to eliminate local control over single-family zoning.

Single-family zoning once again takes center stage as New York State lawmakers dispute the merits of proposed bills that would preempt local zoning codes, allowing homeowners to rent out secondary units such as basements, top floors, and other accessory dwelling unit (ADU) types. As David Brand reports, housing advocates argue that single-family zoning—and the state laws that allow local jurisdictions to enforce it—are suppressing housing construction and enabling New York's affordable housing shortage.
A 2019 report from the Department of City Planning found that New York City added 770,000 new jobs between 2001 and 2018, but only 407,000 new units of housing, creating steep competition for minimal middle-income and low-income housing. A year later, a report by the Citizens Budget Commission found that housing production rates in suburban Westchester, Rockland and Nassau Counties are among the lowest in the country, in large part due to exclusionary zoning.
Consequently, over 40 percent of downstate New York residents spend more than a third of their income on rent, while many live in unpermitted ADUs that could pose safety risks, such as the basement apartments that flooded during Hurricane Ida. Proponents of the bills argue that legalizing ADU rental would increase available housing units and help homeowners bring existing units up to code to protect tenants.
FULL STORY: Hochul, Lawmakers Look to Override NY’s Exclusionary Zoning Amid Housing Crunch

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
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