Affordable Housing

Streetscape

How to Get By-Right Zoning Right

By-right zoning is seen as a critical strategy to help solve the affordable housing crisis. Here's how to get the process correct.

March 23, 2017 - Modern Cities

Beach Homes

Oregon Legislation Would End Mortgage Interest Deduction for Second Homes

A bill currently in committee in Oregon would raise revenue for the state's housing accounts by ending a subsidy used only by residents who own more than one property around the state.

March 20, 2017 - Statesman Journal

HUD

HUD: The Basics on an Embattled Agency

HUD has a complicated and controversial history, and it's all coming into play as the Trump Administration proposes funding cuts and installs problematic leadership.

March 20, 2017 - Curbed

Artists' Housing

New Affordable Housing Model Housing For Artists

Shared ownership model of artist housing transforming Indianapolis block from vacant to vibrant and seeks to keep prices stable over the long term.

March 16, 2017 - Modern Cities

The 606

Increased Demolition Fee Proposed for Developers Near Chicago's 606

A bill with anti-gentrification goals would charge developers who intend to knock down homes along the city’s new bike trail.

March 14, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Leaving California

A Proposed Legislative Solution to California's Out-Migration Epidemic

The Sacramento Bee follows-up a revealing report on lower income workers leaving California due largely to exorbitant housing costs with an editorial endorsing legislation by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco to address the source of the problem.

March 13, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee

San Diego Gaslamp District

Making It Easier to Build Won't Help

Here are some observations that may shed light on the mystery of why—despite creating every incentive that planners can conceive—we are failing to produce affordable housing at the level we need.

March 11, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Atlanta Approves $40 Million Affordable Housing Bond

The city of Atlanta is building new housing, but very little of it is affordable. A new bond is intended to make a dent in that trend.

March 8, 2017 - WABE

California

San Diego Doubled Housing Units Downtown and Rents Still Increased

San Diego invested $1.5 billion in tax increment to increase housing in its downtown but displaced affordable housing with unaffordable housing. Housing planner, developer and advocate, Murtaza Baxamusa gives some answers and asks some questions.

March 3, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

Mixed-Income Development in Chicago's Jefferson Park Faces Protest

A development on Chicago's Northside faces protests and picketers who don't want new density, height, or low income residents.

March 1, 2017 - Chicago Reader

Sydney, Austrlia, Sirius Building

Sydney's Public Housing Gives Way as Land Prices Rise

Rising land values has made some of the land Sydney, Australia's affordable housing sits on prime targets for redevelopment and gentrification.

February 21, 2017 - South China Morning Post

Empty Retail

Should Online Shopping Change How We Use Ground-Level Space?

Urbanist Jane Jacobs' support for mixed use development has long been seen as the best urban design strategy, but this vision assumed that the retail space under housing could be rented. What if that is no longer the case?

February 19, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Atlanta BeltLine

The Strong, Prosperous and Resilient Communities Challenge Awards $90 Million

Six regions have been selected for funding as part of the Strong, Prosperous and Resilient Communities Challenge, or SPARCC. A local news outlet reports on the potential benefits of the program for Atlanta.

February 15, 2017 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Full House Painted Ladies

San Francisco Can't Agree on Affordable Housing Formula

Mayor Ed Lee comes out against the city controller's proposed percentages for affordable housing, saying the numbers, "…have no relevance to what we economically can accomplish"

February 14, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Boston Neighborhoods Find Controversy Following Residential Zoning Changes

An in-depth look into the political controversies stirred up in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain as a result of a proposed, density-adding zoning plan.

February 12, 2017 - The Boston Globe

New Orleans Musicians

How Will Pricey Cities House Their Artists?

With rents on the rise even in "inexpensive" cities like New Orleans, artists and musicians are getting priced out. Affordable housing designated for artists is one way to help them stay.

February 10, 2017 - PBS NewsHour

Small-Scale Apartment

This Start-Up Takes (Some) of the Hassle Out of Renting

Entrepreneur Tyrone Poole's Oregon start-up matches prospective tenants with rental units they qualify for, eliminating legwork and application fees.

February 3, 2017 - CityLab

Pasadena Urged to Purge Poison Pills from ADU Reform Ordinance

Pasadena is adopting accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reform in response to state legislation designed to spur affordable housing options by easing restrictions on ADUs. But is it really entrenchment dressed as reform?

January 30, 2017 - UrbDeZine

The Prospect of Lower Corporate Taxes Already Slowing Affordable Housing Investment

Across the country, affordable housing projects depend on tax credits to encourage investment; the possibility of a lower tax rate has already affected their funding.

January 28, 2017 - Next City

Los Angeles Residential

Audit: Los Angeles' Density Bonus Program Falls Short of Expectations

Josie Huang reports on a new audit from the Los Angeles City Controller finding that the city's density bonus program is falling short of its goals for delivering affordable housing.

January 27, 2017 - KPCC

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.