Housing

ADU Construction Still Difficult in California
Accessory dwelling units should be easier to build in California, but the process is still slow and complicated in many cities, say housing advocates.

Lincoln Park and the Complicated History of Gentrification in Chicago
The following excerpt, written by Daniel Kay Hertz in the introduction to The Battle of Lincoln Park, challenges assumptions about the forces of gentrification in Chicago, with lessons for communities around the country.

Video: Urban Planning Trends to Watch in 2019
Feeling a little "tl;dr" about the "Urban Planning Trends to Watch in 2019" article published by Planetizen earlier this month?

The 'Latino Homeless Paradox'
The city of Philadelphia provides a case study of the so-called "Latino Homeless Paradox." There are many more low-income and homeless Latinos than reflected in the numbers of those using supportive services in the city.

How Do Downtown Homes Prices Compare?
After a decade of shifting market preferences and an ongoing urban renaissance, how do downtown home prices compare in cities around the country?

An Illustrated Exploration of Portland's Homeless Community
An illustrated comic strip introduces the community of support found at Right 2 Dream Too, a homeless community of tents and tiny homes built by and for homeless people.

Rising Homelessness, Erroneous Data: Rethinking Utah's 'Housing First' Policy
An annual reports finds a growing number of homelessness in Utah. That information, coupled with mistakes in earlier reports, casts doubt on the state's record of success in housing vulnerable populations.

Taking Action Against Racial Covenants in Washington Property Deeds
Covenants restricting ownership to white people are not uncommon in old Seattle-area property deeds. Homeowners can now put in requests to legally strike the offensive language.

Discrimination Case Reaches Settlement, Over 50 Years Later
A lawsuit alleging intentional segregation by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) has finally reached a settlement.

Boston Mayor's Proposal Would Allow More Increases in City Linkage Fees
Developers pay impact fees to fund affordable housing and job programs, but the mayor wants the city to have more discretion around changing the requirements.

CA Gov.: Cities Must Meet Housing Goals or State Will Withhold Gas Tax Funds
Newly inaugurated California Gov. Gavin Newsom made waves on Thursday in his budget address, threatening cities and counties with the possibility of losing a portion of their gas tax subventions if they fail to meet their state housing requirements.

Federal Shutdown Threatens Rental Assistance Program
The ongoing shutdown of the federal government could begin to have terrible consequences for some of the nation's most vulnerable populations.

From Vacant Property to Affordable Housing Development
The city of St. Petersburg provides a model for transforming blight to a blessing.

Judge Sets Back NYC's Attempt to Grab Airbnb's Data
A 2018 law required Airbnb to share the names and addresses of hosts in the New York City. A judge ruled that the mandate violates the 4th Amendment.

Asian, Australian Property Markets Begin to Cool
Markets for residential property income of East Asia's most expensive cities are slowing down. The U.S.-China trade war is one factor, along with local controls and a mainland Chinese economy applying the brakes.

California Needs a Marshall Plan for Housing, According to New Governor
Governor Gavin Newsom talks tough on housing in California.

Affordable Housing Advocacy Efforts Taking Root in St. Paul
St. Paul, Minnesota, is working on its comprehensive plan, and advocates want to see upzoning changes similar to what happened in Minneapolis.

Infill Development Still a Tricky Proposition
Impact fess, also known as growth fees, are creating controversy in the Canadian city of Winnpeg, even as the city prepares new infill development guidelines to quell development controversies in older neighborhoods.

Denver Condo Project Aims for 'Permanent Affordability'
More often the province of rental housing, affordability policies are limited in the for-sale market. A partnership in Denver aims to change that with a mixed-use project including at least 86 condos destined to be "permanently affordable."

Sources: Trump Administration Considering an Attack on Disparate Impact
The Supreme Court upheld the disparate impact doctrine at the heart of fair housing rules, along with many other anti-discrimination policies, in 2015. Still, the Trump administration is looking for ways to undermine disparate impact.
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