Experts expect the Phoenix region, a hot bed for the negative effects of the housing crash of the Great Recession, to become one of the nation's strongest housing markets in 2017.

Experts expect the Phoenix region, a hot bed for the negative effects of the housing crash of the Great Recession, to become one of the nation's strongest housing markets in 2017.
"Phoenix’s battle-scarred housing market is expected to be the strongest in the country in 2017, another sign that the U.S. housing market is returning to full strength," reports Laura Kusisto.
During the Great Recession, some experts thought the housing market in the Phoenix region might not recover for decades, but the regional recovery mirrors a national recovery—the latter set a new record high, according to a November data release from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price index.
Though Phoenix home prices are still 12 percent below the peak established in July 2016, "[t]hrough August of this year they have risen by 6% compared with the same period last year," explains Kusisto. "Sales have grown 5% during that time." Moreover, "Home prices are expected to grow 3.9% next year and existing home sales are forecasted to grow 1.9% to 5.46 million homes…"
[Wall Street Journal article might be hidden a paywall for some readers.]
FULL STORY: What the Rise of Phoenix’s Housing Market Says About the U.S. Economy

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