Housing Development

Housing Costs More Than a Matter of Supply and Demand
Does new market rate housing increase the average cost of housing, by inducing demand, or does it help stabilize the housing market by offering new supply? The debate continues in San Francisco.

The Rent Gap Theory
Some urbanism commentators suggest that gentrification is the result of a "rent gap" between actual and potential rent. How should this theory affect zoning policy?

S.F. Bay Area Cooperative Offers New Affordable Housing Model
A California cooperative brings together investors to make homeownership more accessible and finance housing projects that help to slow gentrification.

Op-Ed: What Can Be Done About Toronto's Drabness?
After decades of "just-good-enough when it comes to design," now may be the time for Toronto to take steps to upgrade its aesthetics.

Duluth to Provide Free Land for Creative Housing Proposals
To address its housing shortage, the city of Duluth is giving away free parcels of land to developers with viable proposals for low-cost housing.

Homeless Housing Requirement Threatened by New York Politics
A bill that would require all developments financed by the New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development to include housing for the homeless is unpopular in the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio.

500 New Housing Units Added to Downtown Evanston
Two new high-rise residential buildings in Evanston, Illinois have added a glut of supply to the downtown market.

Multi-Family Leads Recent Housing Uptick in California
With stronger state mandates kicking in, California housing permits rose sharply in September. But as one construction industry commentator noted, an uptick isn't a trend.

Evaluating the Results of New Protections for Affordable Housing Development
California's Senate Bill 35 is touted by affordable housing advocates and other pro-development forces as an example of what good developments can happen when local obstructions are moved out of the way by the state.

Squamish Nation Plans 6,000-Unit Development in Vancouver
The residential development in Vancouver, located on Squamish Nation land, will be significantly larger than what was initially planned.

Why Big Tech Billions Won't Dent California's Housing Crisis
New multibillion-dollar affordable housing commitments from leading tech firms may build out thousands of units, but that's nothing next to California's gargantuan housing shortage.

How D.C.'s Comprehensive Plan May Change
Along with a commitment to produce more affordable housing, Washington D.C. is making general amendments to its Comprehensive Plan. The result may be more "honesty" and nuance around housing.

New Research Ties Lack of Density to Lack of Affordability in California
New research using the Terner Center California Residential Land Use Survey also connects demographic trends to housing development opposition.

Thumbs Down on Decades-Old Southern California Housing Development Proposal
A proposal for a large development in the Coachella Valley, near Joshua Tree National Park, is facing obstacles once again as the planning commission fails to recommend the plan move forward.

Expert Opines on the Fiscal Disincentives Undermining Local Approval of Housing Development
Larry Kosmont identifies the fiscal dysfunction driving city resistance to state-mandated density and offers institutional explanations for California’s current housing crisis.

'Yes In God's Backyard' Offers a New Way Forward for Housing Advocates
San Diego housing advocates have coined a new term: "YIGBY," or "Yes in God's Backyard," to advance prospects for affordable housing development on property underutilized by houses of worship. The city's planning department is receptive.

Lawsuits: Not Just for Development Opponents Anymore
Details of the "Sue the Suburbs" movement wielding a new legal tool to counteract the traditionally obstructionist methods of land use regulation in California.

S.F. Bay Area City Says It Wants More Housing—But Votes Down Project
The project included everything San Bruno and residents asked for, and it would have helped the city make significant progress in addressing its growing housing crisis. Still, it was voted down.

Mayoral Housing Initiative Would Spread Affordable Housing Around D.C.
Planners are expected to play a major role in an ambitious housing initiative proposed by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Oakland A's Propose 6,000 New Homes
On top of plans to build a new ballpark, the Oakland Athletics have proposed developing 6,000 units of housing. Half would be located at the new site near Jack London Square, and the other half at the current Oakland Coliseum site.
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