Homelessness

Why You Can Never Find a Bench in San Francisco

Over the last two decades the city of San Francisco has systematically removed its public benches to fight homelessness. Now citizens are clamoring for their return.

January 30, 2012 - The New York Times

HUD and VA: Homeless Vets Down 12%

The results are in keeping with a federal goal to eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015 through grants and other measures to ensure permanent housing. Steve Vogel reports.

January 7, 2012 - The Washington Post

'Unfathomable' Budget Cuts Deepen the Housing Crisis

The continuing recession and housing crisis are being further decimated by federal cuts to housing aid, according to The Nation.

January 1, 2012 - The Nation

Cities Unprepared to Help Those in Need

A new report says that U.S. cities are lacking in preparation (and in funds) for providing food and shelter for those in need.

December 19, 2011 - Governing Magazine

Does "Doubling Up" Mean "Homeless"?

It's becoming increasingly common for adults to "double" up with other households, indicating that the recession is still affecting families. But are they officially homeless? It depends on who you ask, of course. Emily Badger reports.

November 24, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Dangerous, But Useful: Illegal Apartments

Illegal apartments present a quandary for the city of New York: they increase the danger of fire, but also provide needed shelter that couldn't be found elsewhere. Some experts think a path to legalization could work.

November 8, 2011 - City Limits

Homelessness and the Occupy Wall Street Movement

The logistics involved in maintaining the Occupy Wall Street protests turn out to be some of the very activities that homeless people have been banned from doing in most cities for years.

October 24, 2011 - Salon.com

Vancouver Plans Big Build to End Homelessness

The city of Vancouver is planning to offer more than $42 million in land and capital grants aimed at developing affordable housing. Its part of a 10-year plan to end homelessness in the city.

July 26, 2011 - The Vancouver Sun

Policing 'Gutter Punks' in San Francisco

Heather Mac Donald defends a contentious law, spurred by frustration over migratory youths in Haight-Ashbury, that would ban sitting or lying on city sidewalks between 7 AM and 11 PM.

October 12, 2010 - City Journal

Industrial Uses Compete with Residential Development in East L.A.

A proposed clean tech corridor along the L.A. River east of downtown is another twist in the ongoing battle between competing interests for residential development and the preservation of industrial space.

October 7, 2010 - The Planning Report

Finding Safe Places For Homeless To Park

Venice Beach (City of LA) is the latest community to restrict overnight parking of vehicle-dwelling homeless residents, including those living in RVs. It's a growing problem, especially in areas with inviting climates and tolerant political attitude

October 6, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

Obama Announces New Urban Policy to Shelter 1.6 Million Homeless

A total of 1.6 million people experienced homelessness last year alone. President Obama has decided to attempt to remedy this sobering fact with the new Interagency Council on Homelessness' (USICH) "Opening Doors" plan.

July 9, 2010 - The Daily Caller

Amount of Families in Shelters Increases

The number of families in homeless shelters increased by 7% in 2009, according to a new report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

June 20, 2010 - USA Today

Funding Permanent Housing for the Homeless in Tempe

Officials in Tempe, Arizona and Maricopa County are using federal stimulus money to help end chronic homelessness by providing permanent housing options.

June 20, 2010 - The Arizona Republic

Luxury Condos + Homeless People = ?

264 luxury residential developments are vacant in New York City, according to a new report. Could they be a temporary solution to a serious homeless problem?

May 15, 2010 - City Limits

City And Business House Homeless

San Antonio, Texas, is partnering with business and nonprofit groups on a project aimed at curbing homelessness.

May 13, 2010 - San Antonio Express-News

Lots of Jobs, But No Housing for Workers

North Dakota is undergoing a jobs boom right now, but it doesn't have the housing stock to match the new increase in workers.

April 21, 2010 - The New York Times

Times Square's Last Homeless Man

While this article focuses on 'Heavy', the homeless hold-out, it really is a success story of how a popular, urban destination can tackle what many considerable an insurmountable urban problem - homelessness.

March 31, 2010 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

San Francisco Takes Lessons From Seattle Over Sidewalk Sitting

San Francisco's recently passed and controversial sit/lie laws that prohibit sitting on sidewalks were based on a similar rule passed in Seattle in 1993. Though that rule has been on the books for years, its controversy remains.

March 31, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

HUD Findings Support Housing the Homeless

The results from HUD's first study on the costs of services to the homeless finds that securing and subsidizing rental housing for the homeless is more cost-effective than emergency homeless shelters.

March 26, 2010 - Houston Chronicle

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.

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