Affordable Housing

Can Density Prevent Diabetes?
In Australia, a new study will determine the best ways to make high-density developments healthy places to live.

Amazon, Seattle Go to War Over Proposed Tax
Amazon, a company with cities throwing money at its feet all over the country, has decided to halt construction on an expansion in its hometown over a proposed "head tax."

Miami's Affordable Housing Crunch
Despite new construction, Miami homes remain stubbornly expensive. An opinion piece for Next City makes the case for community land trusts as a solution.

Looking for a Starter Home in Dallas? Good Luck
According to a new study, fewer than 10 percent of homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are priced for first-time buyers.

The Best Option in a Housing Crisis: Build More
Some oppose housing on the grounds that building in expensive cities just makes more homes for rich people. According to and, while there's some truth to that, adding housing beats the alternative.

Tenant Advocates Turn in Signatures for Rent Control Ballot Measure in California
The measure would repeal the 1996 Costa-Hawkins Act that places limits on rent control ordinances. Repealing the act would allow cities with rent control to consider expanding rent control to provide tenants greater protections.

Older People Have All the Wealth
"And you know why they made the new twenties? Cause I got all the old ones."

How Mobile Homes Fill a 'Critical Gap' in Affordable Housing
Cities across America have a housing crisis on their hands—should they be talking more about trailer parks?

Could Los Angeles Have Made Better Use of Former Redevelopment Funds?
After a state decision to abolish California's redevelopment agencies seven years ago, Los Angeles still received some of that money, directing it to city services instead of affordable housing.

Charlotte Takes a Step Forward on Affordable Housing Promises
The city of Charlotte has a funding gap to make up if it wants to keep its promises about how much affordable housing to build or maintain in the short term.

BART's Transit-Oriented Development Bill Sets Disturbing Precedent, Says APA
AB 2923, which would allow the Bay Area Rapid Transit District to rezone their properties near stations for transit-oriented development, passed its first committee. The California chapter of APA objects to the preemption of local land use authority.

America Has Nowhere Near Enough Extremely Low-Income Housing
More than a quarter of renter households in the United States earn 30 percent or less of area median income. And no state in the country can house them.

Dallas Housing Proposal Aims for Equity, Finally
Not only does the plan promise more affordable housing, it’s also supposed to deliver “access to more upwardly mobile communities."

Homes, Not Parking
The Balboa Reservoir is the perfect spot for housing in San Francisco, Nicole Lindler argues, and the notion that it should remain a surface parking lot shows badly disordered priorities.

Denver to Use Marijuana Taxes to Underwrite Affordable Housing Bonds
Mayor Michael Hancock has proposed a funding scheme to ramp up affordable housing production in the city of Denver.
Legislation Would Ensure California Housing Construction Keeps Pace with Population Growth
A companion bill to the controversial SB 827, also introduced Sen. Scott Wiener (D-S.F)., could have a similar impact on housing production but hasn't gathered nearly as much attention. SB 828 makes critical changes to the state's housing supply law.
Louisiana State Senate Votes to Preempt Locals on Inclusionary Zoning
Earlier this week, the Louisiana State Senate approved SB 462, which preempts local authorities from approving inclusionary zoning.

Philadelphia Leaders Announce Affordable Housing Package—Inclusionary Zoning Not Included
Philadelphia will create a one percent "construction impact tax" to help fund affordable housing projects around the city.

California Bill Seeks to Facilitate 'Missing Middle' Housing
Affordable housing developers are increasingly asked to build middle-income units, but can't afford to do so.

San Francisco to Grant Low-Cost Housing Preference to Artists
A new program underway at the San Francisco Arts Commission would make it easier for artists to gain access to the city's stock of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.
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