Affordable Housing
Katrina Victims May Face Eviction
Thousands of families who are still living in temporary trailers after Hurricane Katrina face uncertainty in their housing this summer.
Developers Could Skirt Approval Process
DuPage County may let developers bypass the County Board for project approval if they develop low- to moderate-income housing projects.
Fighting Foreclosures
Fort Lauderdale joins a national program which will provide $3.7 million to change foreclosed homes into affordable housing.
Opportunities (and Mindfulness) of the Emerging HUD Blueprint
By any measure, the HUD that is now emerging from the shadows of eight years of amateur hour, is focused on the right things: markets, coherent roles for public and private sector alike, and energy efficiency. Indeed the emphasis on "urbanism" and "regionalism" illustrates that this administration "gets it".
From Condo to Affordable Housing
Officials in New York are pushing a plan to reuse foreclosed or abandoned condo projects as affordable housing.
Turning Luxury Condos Into Affordable Housing
Housing advocates and policymakers in Brooklyn are working with developers to take half-finished luxury condos (stalled out by the economic crisis) and transform them into affordable housing.
LA's Density Bonuses Thrown Out
A judge has ruled against parts of SB 1818, a density bonus law that allows taller building limits in exchange for affordable housing units.
Affordable Housing Gets $32 Million
The MacArthur Foundation has announced it will give $32 million in grants and loans to preserve and create affordable public housing through HUD, in addition to the $4 billion allotted to the agency from the stimulus bill.
New Orleans Endangers Funds by Not Using Them
Senator Mary Landrieu has threatened to take away some of New Orleans' unused federal dollars if they remain so. Of the unspent $34 million allocated for low-income housing, $11 million will be lost if there are no projects by May 31.
Housing Prices Low, But Not Affordable
The housing market has bombed, bringing prices and values to devastating lows. But despite lower prices, affordable housing is still in too short of supply, according to this piece from Time.
In Praise of Non-Profit Developers
John King of the San Francisco Chronicle trumpets the work of Bridge Housing in increasing the availability of quality affordable housing in the Bay Area. But is it enough? New studies say affordable housing is an uphill battle.
"Cost-Effective" Condos Cheaper than Rental
One developer has found a way to build condos at $60,000 less than it costs the average Toronto developer. Through deferrals from the city, money is made available to assist homebuyers with their down payments.
His Inn Rejected, A Developer Builds Affordable Housing
Matthew Klauer had intended to build a 44-room country inn on the 27-acre plot he purchased in Washington, Connecticut. Rejected by locals, Klauer is changing the plan and building 33 small homes using an affordable housing law.
Five Myths About Affordable Housing
The downturn in the housing market has led to a lot of misconceptions about housing. This piece from The Tyee identifies five myths about affordable housing.
City Buys Homes For Homeless
The city of Dallas is committing to purchase homes for hundreds of homeless residents, rather than building shelters.
Importing the Tijuana Model
Architect Teddy Cruz is creating new models of affordable housing using the shantytowns of Tijuana as his inspiration.
Sewers Sink Affordable Housing
Developer Amir Ziv thought he'd received all the approvals he needed for a controversial affordable housing development in Columbia, MO - but failed to count on storm water regulations.
Troubled Seattle Affordable Housing Plan May Get Rewrite
Seattle has been allowing developers to build higher buildings in exchange for contributing to a fund for affordable housing. But with few units built, officials are hoping to rewrite the legislation to remove restrictions and get more housing built.
Housing Authority 'Charging for Everything'
The Paterson Housing Authority in New Jersey will soon enact some new rules and fees, including charging $20 for every washer, dryer and large screen plasma television.
Seattle's Affordable Housing Plan Blasted For Poor Timing
The Seattle City Council recently approved a new affordable housing plan allowing builders to develop larger buildings if they include a certain amount of affordable units. But developers say the plan is ill-timed and they plan on ignoring it.
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
