Affordable Housing
NYCHA Development Offers Benefits, Raises Concerns
The New York City Housing Authority is using a new strategy to develop new housing by selling open space. HUD oversees how the development works, but some think it does not offer a fair opportunity for community participation.
Big Box Retail Owners Ask For Stacked Housing
The two owners of a traditional 8-acre strip, big box retail center in San Francisco have asked for an amendment to the neighborhood plan (undergoing revision) to allow them to add housing on top of their stores, thus doubling the height limit.
NJ Town Bristles at Affordable Housing Requirements
'It stinks,'says Mayor John Hipp of Rutherford, New Jersey, as his town struggles to fulfill its requirements for affordable housing. The planning board has reluctantly agreed to require affordable units in a previously planned redevelopment site.
SF Affordable Housing Measure Defeated
Measure B would have allotted $30 million to lower-income residents who currently can't afford to live in San Francisco.
Container Homes Find Niche in Hawaii
Interest in houses made from shipping containers has been rising in Hawaii, where these inexpensive homes' designs can range from studios to multistory apartments.
Affordable Housing as 'Olympic Legacy'
Vancouver Olympic officials have announced that temporary Olympic housing units will be reused as permanent affordable housing after the Games.
Legislations Rewards Affordable Housing with Parks
A new piece of legislation rewards local governments in California that build affordable housing with money to build and maintain parks.
Affordable Housing That Improves the Neighborhood
Critic John King says three new housing projects in San Francisco go beyond the goal of shelter, creating fun, attractive environments.
Which Cities Stretch Dollars The Farthest?
Texas cities top a ranking by Forbes of where your dollar goes the farthest. Affordable housing and promising job prospects made a big difference.
Affordable Housing Needs Affordable Land
Witold Rybzynski details the vicious cycle behind the nation's shortage of affordable housing.
'Housing That Works' Plan Announced
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced that within the next five years, $5 billion will go to funding 20,000 new affordable homes near public transportation.
Affordable Housing in a Tough Market
Ann Arbor, Michigan bought a former YMCA building to serve as affordable housing. Four years later, it sits empty, a piece of the difficult housing puzzle. 'Given the environment now, it would be tough,' says one planner about the site.
Affordable Housing Hits Resort Town
A new master-planned development in Whistler blends housing types, keeping in mind its local workers, full-time residents, and seniors. Most notably, however, it provides much needed affordable housing options.
Why Affordability Matters
In this article, Erick Villagomez argues that affordable housing, by enabling urban diversity, is the key to a city's economic and social sustainability.
Fight Over Affordable Housing on the Vineyard
A small businessman on Martha's Vineyard is attempting to build affordable housing for his workers on the island, but neighbors aren't pleased. 'I don't want to feel like I'm in the city,' says one.
Possible $349 Millon Cut from Affordable Housing in CA
Proposals from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative Republicans to close the state's $15 billion budget deficit would to take away hundreds of millions of dollars from local redevelopment agencies.
The 250 Sq. Ft. Condo
Technically these are SROs- Single Room Occupancy units, but it's a spanking new building, cafe below, in the vibrant SoMa district, starting at only $279,000. The catch: some units are only 250 sq.ft.
Hidden Housing: People Are Creating Their Own Idiosyncratic Solutions
Vancouver Magazine takes a look at the many ways people create their own housing solutions outside the norm, from mortgage sharing to garage renovations to illegal units.
Affordable Housing Gets Sexier
In Boston, architecture firm Utile and non-profit developer Urban Edge bring a new, stylish look to affordable housing.
Builder Says Inclusionary Zoning Doesn't Work
In this op-ed, a builders association representative argues that proposals for inclusionary zoning laws in Minnesota that require a certain percentage of affordable housing do not achieve the goals they aim for.
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
