In Philadelphia, and other cities going through demographic changes, shuttered schools provide a challenge and opportunity for redevelopment and reuse. Two board members of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offer a creative solution.
In an op-ed for Philly.com, Mark Schwartz and John Paone contemplate what to do with some of the two dozen schools identified for closure last year, and more likely to come.
"Under the plan recently agreed to by Mayor Nutter and City Council, some of the buildings undoubtedly will be sold to developers, charter schools, or other buyers and put to productive use," they note. "Others - especially former elementary schools in struggling neighborhoods - simply do not have the same appeal."
"What if these buildings and vacant buildings that once housed parochial schools could become safe, affordable housing for the city's growing senior population - some of them residents of those very neighborhoods - or for people with disabilities?"
What would it take to make such a plan happen? The authors suggest filling a funding gap between two federal affordable housing tax credit programs with a "contribution" tied to the approval of a new casino.
FULL STORY: Use vacant schools for housing for seniors, disabled
A Case for Integrating Housing and Healthcare Services
Connecting affordable housing and healthcare programs can improve both—especially for seniors and disabled people.
Parking, Density, and Affordable Housing in California
A bill to reduce parking minimums for residential or mixed-use developments that include affordable units passed a key Senate committee. AB 744 amends the state's density bonus law, itself controversial, that incentivizes building affordable housing.
Shuttered Schools a Growing Challenge in Cities Across the U.S.
Although young adults and baby boomers are flocking back to America's cities, declines in K-12 enrollment are causing many cities to close their schools. A new report looks at the commons challenges in finding new uses for these buildings.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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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