Housing
Affordable Housers Face Deepening Rental Arrears and Ballooning Expenses
Four years after the pandemic first wrought havoc on the American economy, nonprofit housers are being overwhelmed by rental arrears. Can they balance their social mission against their operational realities?
ACLU Sues Washington State for Anti-Camping Laws
In the first legal challenges since June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that cities can enforce outdoor sleeping bans, the ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging Washington’s anti-camping laws violate the state constitution.
What Makes Affordable Housing Green?
There's no one way to determine what makes “green” housing. Here's a breakdown of the standards and considerations used by the affordable housing industry.
Sober House Zoning Violations Prompt Questions
A sober living house in Maryland has been repeatedly fined by the city for operating as a boarding house, begging the question, where can these facilities be located?
LA Officials Struggle to Enforce Short-Term Rental Rules
Hundreds of rent-controlled units are being illegally rented out as short-term rentals, pushing out long-term renters and exacerbating the city’s housing crisis.
NYC Lawmaker Proposes Mandatory Cooling Law
Despite hundreds of heat-related deaths every year, the city has no regulations on cooling in residential units.
Project 2025 and Housing Policy
The Heritage Foundation has issued Project 2025, a list of policy proposals for the next Republican administration. On housing, it seems to embody a range of perspectives.
San Francisco Bans Rent Fixing Software
The Board of Supervisors unanimously supported a bill that bars landlords from using software that critics say facilitates collusion between landlords.
July’s Must Reads: Top 10 Articles from Last Month
In case you missed them, here were the biggest urban planning news items, features, and blogs from last month, including 15 new Amtrak routes, Florida’s EV law, California’s rail update, fare-free buses in Tucson, and more.
Beating Extreme Heat Through Community Efforts
U.S. cities don't provide residents with enough protection against heat, the deadliest weather-related killer in the world. In New York City, one organization came together to distribute ACs to neighbors in need.
A Place to Recover from Illness: How Medical Respite Programs Help Unhoused People Heal
For people experiencing homelessness, recuperating after a hospitalization is difficult. Medical respite programs can help. Why aren't they more common?
The Challenges of Building Middle-Income Housing
An affordable housing developer explains the hurdles to building more housing for middle-income households.
ADU Construction Flourishing in Los Angeles County
The boom is happening in some unexpected areas.
‘Growing MKE’ Zoning Reform Plan Would Expand Milwaukee Housing Options
Proponents of the plan say the changes would help reverse decades of discriminatory housing policies.
Kissimmee Considering Garage Conversion Program
Homeowners could get city support for converting garages to residential units.
Colorado Church Fights for Right to Provide Housing
A church in Castle Rock, Colorado is suing the city, pointing out the lack of shelter options for unhoused residents in the area.
Big Island Airbnb Operators Call for Economic Impact Study
As the Hawai’i County Council debates new regulations governing short-term rentals, it is requesting a study on how the industry impacts local residents and businesses.
Nashville Zoning Reform Opens Commercial, Retail Zones to Housing
An ordinance expanding ‘adaptive residential development’ could lead to thousands of new housing units.
Milwaukee Could Impose Owner Occupancy Rules on Short-Term Rentals
The city could tighten regulations on short-term rentals, many of which remain unregistered despite rules requiring permits.
Expanding the Concept of Transit-Oriented Development: Lessons from Abroad
Keeping transit planning and development siloed can limit opportunities to build affordable housing and vibrant neighborhoods.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
