Housing advocates hope a charter amendment that would streamline the development approval process will make it to the November ballot.
After multiple failed efforts by San Francisco Mayor London Breed to put a charter amendment streamlining the city's development approval process before voters via the Board of Supervisors, the amendment's supporters are working to gather the 52,000 necessary signatures to get it on November's ballot. As J.K. Dineen reports, "The initiative, which proponents are calling Affordable Homes Now, would speed up housing production by allowing some qualified projects to circumvent the city’s discretionary review process, cutting several years from the multiyear timeline it takes to get housing approved in San Francisco."
According to Dineen, "The charter amendment would streamline three types of projects: those that are 100% affordable; those catering to teachers; and those that include 15% more below-market-rate units than is required under the city’s affordable housing requirements." Supporter "YIMBY Action executive director Laura Foote said the polling shows that more than 60% of voters would back the amendment, which requires only a simple majority to pass."
Critics say the amendment will only support more market rate housing, "and that the level of affordability of the units in most market-rate development is too high for workers most at risk of being displaced."
FULL STORY: After being rejected by S.F. supervisors, a charter to streamline housing could go to the voters
California’s New Housing Laws: What You Need to Know
The state legislature passed dozens of new laws aimed at improving housing affordability and streamlining the development process to meet rising demand.
Proposed Legislation Targets Arizona Housing Crisis
A series of state bills address barriers to housing production including parking minimums and ADUs.
How Single-Family Zoning Became Unaffordable for Families
Zoning regulations designed to boost the housing supply for families have contributed to a housing crisis that makes housing costs a major burden for many American families.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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