housing affordability

Two pastel green/blue front doors on duplex with decorative wreaths.

How Single-Family Conversions Benefit Both Homeowners and Cities

Converting single-family homes to triplexes can ease the housing crisis and offer affordable, flexible options for more households. Why is it largely illegal?

March 4, 2025 - Strong Towns

Colorful rowhouses in Washington, D.C.

DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’

A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.

February 26, 2025 - Greater Greater Washington

Multistory apartment building under construction.

Permanent Supportive Housing Providers Face Steep Insurance Hikes

High insurance costs are calling some organizations’ future into question as supportive housing providers struggle to meet their expenses.

February 23, 2025 - Next City

Aerial view of suburban mixed-use development outside Austin, Texas with lake in foreground and complex of apartment buildings.

Rents Rose Between December and January

After dropping to a three-year low, U.S. rent costs grew in many major cities.

February 19, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of blue For Sale sign in front of house.

National Survey Shows ‘Severe, Widespread, and Worsening’ Housing Crisis

Mayors from around the country agree that more support is needed at the federal level to strengthen housing assistance programs.

January 26, 2025 - U.S. Conference of Mayors

Workers assembling a modular housing unit.

Modular Workforce Housing Offers a Lifeline for Western Towns

Rapidly rising housing costs are pushing out the residents at the heart of local economies in resort towns across the country.

January 15, 2025 - Marketplace

Anchorage, Alaska skyline with snowy mountains in background.

Anchorage Leaders Support Multigenerational Housing Model

The city is making it easier to build multigenerational housing that can accommodate families, children, and seniors who want to ‘age in place.’

December 27, 2024 - Alaska Public Media

Aerial view of Rhode Island state capitol in Providence, Rhode Island.

How Will Rhode Island Spend a $120M Housing Bond?

Voters approved a bond measure that includes up to $10 million for creating a public housing entity.

December 15, 2024 - Governing

View of brick buildings and One World Trade Center building and New York City skyline.

NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities

Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.

December 13, 2024 - The City

Close-up of woman in flowered dress holding bar next to white porcelain sink in bathroom.

Survey: Americans Finding it Harder to ‘Age in Place’

While many people over 65 would prefer to stay in their homes and communities, high housing costs and a lack of accessible infrastructure make it difficult.

December 12, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Yellow San Diego Unified School District school bus.

San Diego School District Could Accelerate Workforce Housing Program

A proposal to build housing on five district-owned properties could yield 1,000 housing units for low- and moderate-income district employees.

December 10, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of small town of Sparta, Wisconsin.

Opinion: Federal Government Must Continue Supporting Rural Housing Program

The incoming Congress will have a say in bolstering — or harming — the only federal housing program focused on affordable housing in rural areas.

December 8, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Aerial view of suburban neighborhood with large houses and green grass near Columbus, Ohio.

Central Ohio Leaders Form Regional Housing Partnership

A new coalition will seek to address growing housing needs and improve affordability by supporting new housing development across the region.

December 6, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Vintage multi-story brick apartment building and modern concrete and glass apartment building separated by a steep public stairway in Los Angeles, California.

Analysis: Localized Upzoning Less Effective

Changing zoning rules for a small number of parcels can increase land values and housing costs without boosting the housing supply.

December 5, 2024 - Governing

Adult man talking to young woman across wooden garden fence with young girl standing next to him.

For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits

Residents of co-living developments say the built-in community helps ease the growing isolation felt by many Americans.

December 4, 2024 - NPR

Row of old brick homes in Flushing, Queens, New York with high-rise buildings in background.

NYC Likely to Legalize ADUs as Part of ‘City of Yes’ Reforms

Homeowners in some neighborhoods could soon be able to build accessory dwelling units in their backyards, garages, or basements.

December 4, 2024 - Business Insider

Close-up of laptop with real estate listings shown on map.

Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI

Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.

December 2, 2024 - CALmatters

Rendering of modern black and brown one-story backyard home design

The ADU Movement Grows Around the Country

More states and cities are promoting backyard cottages, converted garages, and other add-on units. Are they making an impact?

November 26, 2024 - Yahoo News

Aerial view of single-family suburban neighborhood in Dallas, Texas.

How Did We Get Here? Housing Policy and Planners’ Role in Shaping Regional Growth and Prosperity

To navigate the complexities of the current U.S. housing crisis, planners and decision makers must first understand how decades of past policy decisions led us here.

November 15, 2024 - Jennifer Raitt

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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