Affordable Housing

View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion

The Long Road to Portland's Historic Residential Infill Project

How the journey of one zoning reform campaign can inform future efforts.

August 16, 2021 - Sightline

Gowanus Canal

Gowanus Racial Impact Study Predicts Increased Diversity After Rezoning

The report outlines the potential impacts on the neighborhood's racial diversity and the availability of below-market housing units.

August 16, 2021 - Urbanize New York

Roanoke, Virginia

How Virginia Communities Are Encouraging 'Missing Middle Housing'

Local leaders hope that streamlining permit processes and eliminating restrictive zoning regulations will set the groundwork for increased production of small and mid-sized multi-family housing.

August 12, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Washington Monuments

D.C.'s Flexible Rent Subsidy Helps Families Avoid Homelessness

The program gives households a rent subsidy that can be used flexibly over time, making it a valuable tool for workers with fluctuating incomes.

August 12, 2021 - Urban Institute

Rent Jubilee

Landlords Filing Evictions to Speed Rent Relief Funds

Because many rent relief programs prioritize tenants actively facing eviction, some Ohio landlords are using eviction to speed up the process.

August 9, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Stanford

Opinion: Build Density in Palo Alto–and Lots of It

To keep up with demand and slow the astronomical rise in housing costs, Palo Alto and other Silicon Valley cities must overcome local opposition to density and high-rises.

August 9, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Skyline of Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk's 'Missing Middle Pattern Book' Aims to Streamline Permitting for Multi-Family Housing

Acknowledging the region's dire need for more diverse housing stock, city leaders hope the pre-approved designs, along with necessary zoning reforms, will encourage more construction of 'missing middle housing.'

August 5, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

TransLink SkyTrain

Canada's Minister of Infrastructure Underscores Importance of Transit-Oriented Development

On the heels of a billion-dollar federal contribution to Vancouver's SkyTrain, the minister emphasized the need for policies that encourage affordable housing near transit.

July 30, 2021 - Daily Hive

Empty Homes

Defining the 'Community' in Community Land Trusts

As community land trusts take root and expand, they face numerous questions on how to stay communally-focused while their geographic scope grows.

July 28, 2021 - Shelterforce

1719 house in Salem, Massachusetts

Greater Boston Considers Relaxing ADU Rules as Housing Shortage Deepens

Cities in the region want to increase flexibility for homeowners who want to build 'granny flats' on their property.

July 27, 2021 - Boston Globe

Portland Mobile Homes

Manufactured Home Residents Face Heightened Hurricane Risks

The unique construction and ownership structure of so-called 'mobile' homes put their residents at increased risk of property damage, financial loss, and death during extreme weather events.

July 25, 2021 - Atmos

House in Tucson, Arizona

More Western Cities Approve ADUs to Help Relieve Housing Crisis

Proponents of 'granny flats' say they can alleviate housing shortages and help families keep their homes, but others worry that the programs don't do enough to target low- and middle-income property owners.

July 22, 2021 - High Country News

Seattle

Seattle Faith Leaders Call Density Bonus Amendment a 'Poison Pill'

An amendment increasing affordability requirements to 60% for housing built on church-owned property has come under fire from Black church leaders who call it a death knell for many affordable housing projects.

July 19, 2021 - The Urbanist

Austin Texas

Austin Won't Commit to Parking Reductions for Affordable Housing Project

The developer of a proposed affordable housing argues that minimum parking requirements will reduce the number of units or pass costs to tenants, Austin regulators expressed are worried about local parking supplies and access to public transit.

July 18, 2021 - Austin Monitor

Affordable housing

What Will Cambridge's New Affordable Housing Overlay Do?

The policy is aimed at reducing the cost of building affordable housing and helping affordable housing developers to better compete on property acquisitions.

July 18, 2021 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

New York City Air Conditioners

New York Lags Behind California in Converting Hotels to Affordable Housing

While the Golden State has awarded $800 million in funds for 'Project Roomkey,' a bill passed by the New York State Senate languishes in the governor's office.

July 16, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Homeless encampments on the Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk.

Locals Vehemently Oppose Venice Beach Homeless Housing

The controversies about homelessness in what was once a beach community full of hippies and surfers has boiled over in response to a large proposed development of supportive housing on a surface parking lot owned by the city.

July 14, 2021 - Curbed

Empty Parking Garage

Converting Unused Parking Garages to Affordable Housing

As garage operators find their businesses increasingly unsustainable, some are looking to affordable housing as the logical next incarnation of their buildings.

July 14, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Underground Parking

Denver Reduces Parking Requirements for Affordable Housing

The zoning change will significantly reduce the cost of building affordable housing developments.

July 13, 2021 - 5280

Suburban Home

The Link Between COVID-19 Deaths and Overcrowded Housing

Overcrowding and housing insecurity among Black and Brown communities led to disproportionately high COVID-19 fatalities, research shows.

July 8, 2021 - Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.