7.5 percent of homes in the French capital have no one living in them.

In an effort to increase its supply of affordable housing, Paris is tripling the property tax on vacant homes to 60 percent.
Cities worldwide face the obstacle of an "artificial shortage" of housing created in part by vacation homes, owned the wealthiest residents, that sit empty all year, says Better Dwelling. To be precise, Paris has 107,000 vacant homes—representing 7.5 percent of all residences in the city.
Paris first started taxing vacant property in 2015 to "discourage the use of city center homes for secondary residences." This drastic increase is controversial, reports Better Dwelling.
Local developers have argued that more new construction is the solution. However … It appears the city believes they have 107,000 reasons more construction is not the solution.
FULL STORY: Vacant Homes Are A Global Epidemic, And Paris Is Fighting It With A 60% Tax

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.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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