Affordable Housing

San Francisco Coit Tower Construction

When Does Inclusionary Zoning Go Too Far? San Francisco Might Find Out

In June, San Francisco voters will consider a ballot initiative that will raise the affordable housing requirement of the city's inclusionary zoning from 12 to 25 percent. Even housing advocates are concerned Proposition C might go too far.

May 12, 2016 - CityLab

London Houses

The New Mayor of London's Housing Manifesto

Newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan created a housing manifesto while on the campaign trail. Its support of affordable housing development would be unique on this side of the pond.

May 11, 2016 - BBC

Denver TOD

3 Examples of Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Policies

Mobility Lab tackles the challenges of building affordable housing near transit (i.e., transit-oriented affordable housing) by providing specific, real-world examples from cities and states.

May 2, 2016 - Mobility Lab

Seattle Apartments

Seattle's Inclusionary Zoning Proposal Falling Short of Expectations

A critical component of the landmark and controversial Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) platform, announced first in July 2015.

April 30, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Bromo Seltzer Tower Baltimore

Visions of Revitalization Compete in Baltimore

A grassroots housing plan in Baltimore would keep control over neighborhood revitalization, and its benefits, in communities.

April 27, 2016 - The Nation

How Bay Area Cities Are Dealing with the Housing Crunch

A booming-once-again tech sector and a rapidly increasing population in the Bay Area are aggravating a historically tight housing market. Preservation architect Jerri Holan looks at how Bay Area cities are dealing with the housing crunch.

April 22, 2016 - UrbDeZine

Maine Communities Increasingly Allow Granny Flats

Many Maine communities have amended their zoning ordinances to allow accessory dwelling units, recognizing the benefits of this housing option.

April 19, 2016 - Maine Association of Planners Front Page

Los Angeles' Plan to Keep 'Bootleg' Units Affordable

Los Angeles is moving toward creating a path to amnesty and affordability for habitable, but unpermitted residential units.

April 16, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

New York Eliminates Some Parking Requirements in 'Transit Zones'

In a substantial part of the city, parking requirements will be eliminated for subsidized and senior housing.

April 8, 2016 - StreetsBlog NYC

It's the Complexity, Stupid! (Try 'Splainin' that in an Elevator)

The dangerous absurdity of building a national—or a community—to-do list around fear, resentment, and wishful thinking

April 6, 2016 - PlaceShakers

San Francisco Teachers Could Get Eviction Protections

San Francisco may move to protect teachers from "no-fault" evictions during the school year.

April 5, 2016 - San Francisco Examiner

How to Overcome a Legacy of Racist Housing Policy

An editorial by the co-director of the Texas Low Incomes Housing Information Service argues the benefits of a proposed public and subsidized housing project in Houston.

April 4, 2016 - Houston Chronicle

'Supply-Side' Arguments, and Why Geography, Scale, and Migration Matter

When it comes to housing, supply and demand isn’t as simple as it seems (or as simple as some boosters would like us to think), and a supply-side strategy will not work in every context to address affordability, including in hot neighborhoods.

April 2, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

New York City Council Approves Sweeping Zoning Changes

Politico New York reports all the important details on a big day for planning in New York City—as the City Council overwhelmingly approved two controversial zoning changes to help spur the construction of affordable housing.

March 24, 2016 - Politico New York

Revealed: The Winners of AIA Chicago's Tiny Homes Competition

Tiny homes have captured new attention as a potential response to the homelessness and housing supply limitations gripping many U.S. cities. An AIA Chicago design competition recently called on architects to design new prototypes of the tiny home.

March 23, 2016 - The Architect's Newspaper

Housing Construction

Evaluating Affordable Housing Development Strategies

There are many ways that communities can support and encourage affordable housing development. Let's compare them.

March 23, 2016 - Todd Litman

Surface Parking

Munich Builds New Housing Over Parking Lots

Fed up with all the extra space parked cars occupy, residents of Munich have turned to affordable housing built over already-existing parking lots. The wood-frame structures will be prefabricated and assembled quickly.

March 21, 2016 - CityLab

Sprawl

Sprawl and the Declining City

Sprawl lowers real estate values in cheap, declining cities—but it may also have social costs that aren't as relevant elsewhere.

March 20, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

Community Development Corporations Struggling to Stay Afloat in St. Louis

Less funding has led to a decline in the number of community development corporations in the St. Louis area, despite a persistent need for their services.

March 18, 2016 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

How Oakland Is Tackling Its Housing Crisis

Just across the Bay Bridge from one of the most famous examples of a broken housing market, Oakland is working to keep up with the effects of housing demand.

March 18, 2016 - SPUR

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