housing affordability

Condos Smart Growth

Study: Housing Crisis Stems from Inequality (Not Zoning)

A new paper examines the impacts of broad economic trends—like inequality, job markets, and migration—on housing markets in the nation's major metropolitan areas.

March 25, 2019 - The Planning Report

Minnesota

'Renter-First Housing Policy' Adopted by the Minneapolis City Council

The city of Minneapolis is taking positive steps to improve housing security for renters.

March 24, 2019 - City of Minneapolis

Hurricane Harvey

Connecting the Issues of Flooding and Affordable Housing in Texas

A study released this week by the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium ( the University of Houston, the Kinder Institute, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and more) raises concerns that new floodplain regulations could harm renters.

March 21, 2019 - The Houston Chronicle

Tenants' Rights

More States Look to Expand Tenant Protections

Cities and states around the country are reconsidering decades-old bans on rent control.

March 20, 2019 - Governing

Texas Townhomes

Home Builders Aren't Building the Smaller Homes the Market Wants

It's time to get demand and supply on the same page, according to this report.

March 17, 2019 - RCLCO

Affordable Rental Housing

Report: No City or State in the U.S. Has Enough Housing for Low-Income Residents

"The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Rental Homes" illustrates the depth of the nation's rental housing affordability crisis.

March 14, 2019 - Curbed

Potted Plants

Homeownership in Reach for More Renters

According to the Urban Institute's Housing Affordability for Renters Index, the number of renters who can afford to buy a home in their metropolitan area is generally increasing when compared to the housing bubble of the mid-2000s.

March 13, 2019 - Urban Institute

British Columbia

Rent Prices Spike in Canada

The largest price jump in 30 years hit the rental market in Canada at the beginning of the year.

March 12, 2019 - Daily Hive

Rental Apartments

How Anti-Rent Gouging Policies Differ From Rent Control

California could consider an anti-rent gouging bill, a policy with key distinctions from rent control that also inform a more complete understanding of Oregon's recently approved statewide tenant protections bill.

March 7, 2019 - CALmatters

Tacoma Washington

Accessory Dwelling Units Find Public Support in Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma, Washington, a city of over 200,000 residents in the Pacific Northwest, is making room for more.

March 6, 2019 - The Urbanist

Toronto Regent Park

The Most and Least Expensive TOD in Toronto

A new study maps out affordability and inequality across Toronto's transit network.

February 6, 2019 - The Star

Winter Construction in the City

Can Upzoning Increase Housing Supply and Affordability?

Increasing allowable densities and reducing parking requirements are important strategies for achieving long-term planning goals, but to succeed they must be applied to large areas.

February 4, 2019 - Todd Litman

Utah

Legislation Would Loosen Zoning for TOD and ADUs, Require Housing Plans From Cities in Utah

State preemption, in the form major zoning reforms and mandates for local housing targets, are on the table in the Utah Legislature this year.

January 3, 2019 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Eviction

Thresholds of Rent Affordability Trigger Homelessness

New research reveals details of when and where rising rents trigger homelessness.

December 12, 2018 - Zillow Research

Washington

Suburbs Encouraging Accessory Dwelling Units

Renton, a suburb of Seattle dealing with skyrocketing housing prices like many of the communities in the region, is allowing new density in residential neighborhoods in the form of backyard cottages.

December 8, 2018 - Crosscut

Derek Mindler

An Argument for a Graduated Real Estate Transfer Tax in Chicago

As it exists today, Chicago's real estate transfer tax is a flat tax that charges the same percentage for modest homes and mansions.

November 19, 2018 - Chicago Sun-Times

Homelessness

Veteran Homelessness on the Rise Again in Expensive Cities

The news about veteran homelessness rising in expensive cities might come as a surprise, after years of reported progress.

November 12, 2018 - How Housing Matters

For Rent

Rent Control Rejected in California, But the Debate Is Far From Over

An opinion piece in CityLab reiterates the body of research showing evidence that rent control is not an effective tool in reducing housing costs.

November 9, 2018 - CityLab

South Carolina

Seeking Mixed-Income Housing Developers in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina is concerned about the lack of affordable housing in its city, potentially making it difficult for fire fighters, teachers, and more to afford to live in the community.

November 9, 2018 - WIS News

Fire Escape

Rental Demand Grows as Rental Supply Drops

Increasing numbers of renters, at all income levels, and in all U.S. metropolitan areas, are competing for a dwindling supply of rental units, according to a new analysis.

October 29, 2018 - Joint Center for Housing Studies

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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