Affordable Housing

Silicon Valley, facing Downtown San Jose

Two Sides of the California Rent Control Debate, in Silicon Valley and Beyond

In California, rent control continues to be a hotly contested issue at both the local and state levels.

October 3, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

City Apartments

Proposed Density Bonus Program Evolves in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is sweetening the deal in a proposal that would offer developers density bonuses if they send money to the city's Housing Trust Fund.

October 3, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Rent

A New, Renter-Friendly Politics Emerges

There are signs that politicians at every level are responding to the concerns of renters like never before. If only renter-friendly housing policies were matters of simple consensus.

October 2, 2018 - Brookings

San Francisco city

San Francisco’s Housing Woes: How the Past Informs the Present

A zoning history dating back to the 19th century still has significant impacts on the city’s housing in the present day.

October 1, 2018 - Collectors Weekly

High Line

Comptroller Report Errs When Counting Affordable Housing

There's a point to be made about the decline of New York City's affordable housing stock. Instead we'll talk about a badly mistaken report that severely over reported the problem.

September 29, 2018 - The Wall Street Journal

Hubway Bikeshare

More Affordable Housing Needed to Keep Pace with Boston's Growth

Boston's housing goals were set in 2014, but had to be revised as the city's population growth exceeds previous estimates.

September 28, 2018 - WBUR

Silicon Valley

San Jose to Vote on $450 Million Affordable Housing Bond

A $450 million bond referendum will come before San Jose voters this November. Mayor Sam Liccardo promises it is "a necessary but not sufficient tool" to provide stable housing at an epicenter of the housing crisis.

September 27, 2018 - Next City

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D - Massachusetts)

Breaking: Elizabeth Warren Releases Far-Reaching Housing Bill

The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act probably has no chance of passing into law, but it's still the most substantial gesture toward housing policy by a member of Congress since the subprime crisis of 2008.

September 25, 2018 - The Atlantic

California State Capital

Regional Housing Needs Allocation Reform Bill on Gov. Brown's Desk

The lone survivor of Sen. Scott Wiener's trio of "Housing-First Policy" bills awaits a decision by Gov. Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 828, intended to increase the amount of land zoned for housing in California cities, was weakened by amendments.

September 25, 2018 - The Real Deal

Washington D.C. Row Houses

Mapping D.C.'s Affordable Housing Investment

The District has created thousands of affordable homes, but analysts see a need for more targeted intervention.

September 25, 2018 - D.C. Financial Policy Institute

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Retrofitting Cities with Accessory Dwelling Units Is a Win-Win

Expensive West Coast cities are looking to these alternative and add-on structures to ease their housing challenges.

September 24, 2018 - SF Gate

Detroit Bioretention Garden

The Key to Effective Neighborhood Development: Scale

Lots of great ideas, but few resources to back them up—the story in Detroit is probably familiar in cities all over the country.

September 23, 2018 - The Detroit Free Press

Suburban Tract Homes

Austin's Waitlist for Housing Vouchers Only Opens Every Four Years

A chance to participate in a lottery, which gets winners on a waitlist for federal housing assistance, pops up on the calendar as frequently as the Summer Olympics.

September 20, 2018 - KUT

Cupertino, California

Silicon Valley City to Approve Massive Vallco Development, Like it or Not

A new state law meant to overcome local barriers to development is having its first big test run in Cupertino, California.

September 19, 2018 - The Mercury News

Kansas City skyline

Study of Evictions in Kansas City Provides Insight Into a National Problem

A new report on eviction data from Kansas City reveals systematic factors related to the housing crisis.

September 18, 2018 - How Housing Matters

Atlanta, Georgia

$5 Billion Redevelopment Proposal Tabled in Atlanta

The redevelopment plan for the "Gulch" site could have created a potential Amazon headquarters location, but it's been tabled over concern about the return on the city's investment.

September 18, 2018 - The Atlanta-Journal Constitution

Boston houses

In Boston, Protecting Communities from the Consequences of Foreclosure

A diverse Boston community alliance initially came together to maintain stability in neighborhoods affected by foreclosures. It has changed focus as its work has continued.

September 17, 2018 - Next City

Denver, Colorado

Denver Offers Pathway for Misused 'Affordable' Housing

Hundreds of homes built under Denver's affordable housing program were sold to buyers who didn't qualify for them. Now, the city is trying to clean up the mess.

September 14, 2018 - Denver Post

Apartment Building

Minneapolis Mayor Pushing to Fund a Slew of Programs to Make Housing More Affordable

Mayor Jacob Frey wants $40 million of the city’s budget to fund programs related to housing affordability.

September 11, 2018 - MinnPost

Construction

Year One of L.A.'s 'Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentives Program'

After one year in action, the Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentives Program has enabled a rare feat in Los Angeles: new development.

September 10, 2018 - Urbanize LA

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.

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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