Housing

Vacant home with foreclosure sign.

What Is a Land Bank?

Land banks are public or private organizations that purchase, hold, redevelop, or otherwise manage foreclosed or abandoned properties with the goal of achieving community objectives such as affordable housing construction or public park space.

July 3, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Two-story housing in Sacramento, California

Sacramento Households Hit Hard by Evictions

With pandemic-era renter protections ending and rents rising by close to 20 percent, renters in Sacramento are finding it harder to afford housing in the region.

July 1, 2022 - The Sacramento Bee

Aerial view of suburban homes in New Jersey.

New Jersey Bill Would Ease the Path to Homeownership for Low-Income Families

A bill passed by the New Jersey state legislature would discourage investors from buying and flipping homes while giving households that have experienced foreclosure first bidding rights on auction properties.

July 1, 2022 - NorthJersey.com

Central Los Angeles

California Approves Revised Los Angeles Housing Element

State officials officially approved the city’s housing plan, which was initially rejected for not doing enough to enhance housing equity.

June 30, 2022 - Urbanize LA

YIMBY

What Is a YIMBY?

YIMBY, an acronym standing for "Yes In My Backyard," describes advocates who support housing development as a response to the outcomes of restrictive zoning and planning policies.

June 29, 2022 - James Brasuell

Unhoused man holding sign that reads "Seeking human kindness"

How We Talk About Homelessness: Why Language Matters

Terminology referring to people living without permanent housing changes frequently. Today, the term 'unhoused' is gaining ground among advocates. Why, and why does it matter?

June 29, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Car Traffic

San Francisco Just Ended Single-Family Zoning

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to Tuesday to eliminate single-family zoning, but pro-development advocates say additional changes are needed to unleash a wave of construction.

June 29, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

White clapboard house with For Sale sign in front yard

Price Cuts Spread to More of the U.S. Housing Market

The insanity of the housing market during the pandemic seems to have peaked in an increasing number of U.S. cities, according to recent data.

June 29, 2022 - Bloomberg

A Gold Line AnsaldoBreda P2550 train enters Mission Station in South Pasadena on February 25, 2012.

Land Banking to Prevent Transit-Oriented Displacement in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will implement a new land banking program to mitigate gentrification and displacement around future transit lines.

June 28, 2022 - Los Angeles Daily News

Washington

Spokane to Test Citywide Residential Density Incentives

The Spokane City Council in July will consider the "Building Opportunity and Choices for All" pilot program, which would allow new residential densities throughout the city.

June 27, 2022 - Spokane City

Indian Trail, North Carolina

Four ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ Zoning Reforms

An excerpt from the latest book on zoning argues for four approaches to reform that can immediately improve land use regulation in the United States.

June 26, 2022 - M. Nolan Gray

View of New York City apartment buildings.

New York City Approves Rent Hikes on Rent-Stabilized Apartments

The rent increases, which the Rent Guidelines Board deemed necessary to support “mom and pop” landlords, will affect two million residents.

June 26, 2022 - The New York Times

Tents lining an underpass in Los Angeles, California

Federal Funding To Boost Supportive Housing Efforts

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $365 million package aimed at efforts to reduce homelessness and provide outreach and care for people lacking adequate housing.

June 24, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Gentrification

Who’s Afraid of Gentrification?

Examining the complex sources of concerns about displacement and opposition to investment in low-income neighborhoods.

June 23, 2022 - Governing

Housing Construction

The State of the Nation’s Housing: 2022 Report

An annual report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) reveals that a growing number of American households face housing insecurity and spiking costs of living.

June 23, 2022 - Enterprise Community Partners

Traditional single-family home next to modern home in Arlington, Virginia

Arlington County Struggles To Meet Affordable Housing Goals

As the region’s population swells and demand for housing grows, Arlington County considers zoning reform to boost its affordable housing stock.

June 23, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Potomac River

Alexandria To Consider New Density Bonus

City leaders hope the proposed change will boost the city’s supply of affordable housing.

June 22, 2022 - Alexandria Living Magazine

A closeup of rows of buildings lined by old fashioned windows in New York City.

One Year, Zero Conversions: New York Revamps its Hotels-to-Housing Program

The Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) was intended to convert dormant hotels into sorely needed housing. So far the law hasn’t worked as intended.

June 22, 2022 - CityLimits

Rent

U.S. Rental Market Crosses a New Threshold of Affordability

In a first for the country's rental market, most U.S. apartments are asking for more than $2,000 to rent, according to data recently published by Redfin.

June 21, 2022 - Redfin

Townhomes in suburban Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Mayor Wants To Restrict ‘iBuyers’

The rise in investors buying up properties, sometimes before they’re even listed on the open market, is causing sharper spikes in home prices. Atlanta’s mayor wants to end that.

June 20, 2022 - Bloomberg

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.