Affordable Housing

Housing Crunch Comes to Appalachia

Housing shortages are news in San Francisco and North Dakota, even if for different reasons. But parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania are facing the tough policy questions from their own, less documented fracking boom.

August 5, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

Time to Look at Oakland

While Oakland is by no means an easy place to develop real estate, the often maligned East Bay city of over 400,000 residents may very well be the Bay Area’s best place to embrace much-needed development.

August 4, 2014 - Reuben Duarte

The Risks and Conflicts of Interest in San Diego's Proposed Redevelopment Scheme

Before San Diego adopts a proposal to continue redevelopment using profit-based concepts, it should pause to consider the perils, argues Murtaza H. Baxamusa, an affordable housing developer and planning professor.

August 3, 2014 - UrbDeZine

First Net-Zero Energy Apartments Planned in South Sacramento

Housing 120 units, the first net-zero energy transit-oriented development complex in South Sacramento will feature a rooftop farm and resident-run onsite bicycle repair.

July 30, 2014 - Sacramento Bee

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

Are We There Yet? Affordability in the 'New Normal'

In the new normal, an affordable lifestyle is suddenly of interest to a larger circle of us. Here's what some interesting innovators are doing about it, between now and when our politics and legal structure fully align with our needs.

July 28, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Where Smaller is More Marketable

Unlike the message of an annoying commercial, bigger may not be better in the real estate market. Residential developers in Washington D.C. have found that millennials like small studios, or micro-units, provided the spaces are well designed.

July 23, 2014 - The Washington Post

Literature Review: On the Importance of Affordable Housing for Families and Communities

A new report by Enterprise Community Partners provides a literature review of research about the effects of stable and affordable housing.

July 22, 2014 - HousingWire

California Launches Process to Create Sustainability and Housing Program (Funded by Cap and Trade)

California's Strategic Growth Council has begun to shape the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program around its new allocations of cap-and-trade funds. The first key public meeting on creating the program was July 10.

July 17, 2014 - California Planning & Development Repot

Study Links Affordable Housing and Intellectual Ability in Children

Jonathan Walters shares news of a new study out of Johns Hopkins University finding a connection between affordable housing and the intellectual ability of children. Spend more, or less, than 30 percent on housing, and intellectual ability suffers.

July 17, 2014 - Governing

Bill Would Require Affordable Housing in Sales of Public Land in Washington D.C.

"A DC Council committee voted…to require developers to include affordable housing any time they buy land from the city for residential development," reports Jenny Reed.

July 15, 2014 - DC Fiscal Policy Institute

Sacramento

Sacramento's Tale of Two Downtowns

Northern California is no stranger to debates about redevelopment, displacement, and the proper mix of affordable and market-rate housing—but this time the setting for these stories is in the state capital of Sacramento.

July 11, 2014 - Next City

Redefining Affordability in the Most Expensive Neighborhoods

Ryan Hutchins reports on the details of a recent negotiation between Helen Rosenthal, Upper West Side City Council representative, and the developer of a 1,000-unit residential project in Hell's Kitchen.

July 3, 2014 - Capital New York

The Bronx

Affordable, Mid-Term, Housing for All

A proposal to limit the amount of time low-income families can live in affordable housing.

July 2, 2014 - Edward Poteat

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

Op-Ed: Oakland Needs Better Housing Policy to Lead Relief of the Bay Area's Housing Crunch

Robert Selna, a land use and real estate attorney, pens a letter to the editor arguing for Oakland to develop specific and aggressive housing development policies.

June 30, 2014 - SFGate

Board Passes on Rent Freeze Despite Mayor de Blasio's Intentions

The New York City Rent Guidelines Board is one of the few ways Mayor Bill de Blasio can influence the price of housing in the city. All sides came away wanting when the board approved a historically low increase.

June 24, 2014 - New York Times

Survey: Americans Want Government Action on Affordable Housing

The findings of the Housing Works survey, released earlier this month, suggest that the cost of housing is a pervasive concern among Americans, even if Americans aren't sure they support the kinds of measures necessary to improve the problem.

June 23, 2014 - Governing

Affordable housing

The Limitations of Inclusionary Zoning Explained

Josh Barro examines the possible use of inclusionary zoning to generate affordable housing stock in the city of New York City finding that the only way to build more affordable units is by increasing density.

June 22, 2014 - New York Times

A Growing Body of Knowledge Examines Unauthorized Housing in Los Angeles

An academic look at unauthorized housing in the Los Angeles area: Interview of Jacob Wegmann by Los Angeles County Planner Jonathan Bell

June 21, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Scrambling to Fund and Build Housing for Shale Boom Workers

"The drilling industry boom in places like Washington County [Pennsylvania] has squeezed the housing market, especially among those looking for lower-priced apartments and homes," reports Stephanie Ritenbaugh.

June 17, 2014 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Greenfield Multi-Family

Supply, Demand, and Affordable Housing

Bill Witte, president of Related California, one of the most active developers of residential and commercial properties on the West Coast, talks about real estate, affordable housing, and a squeezed middle class with The Planning Report.

June 8, 2014 - The Planning Report

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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