Fair Housing

U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA)

Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Release Fair Housing Legislation

The two leading figures of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C. released the "Fair Chance at Housing Act."

July 10, 2019 - The Hill

Brownstones

The Underappreciated Role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in Access to Affordable Housing

A housing researcher formerly with the Obama administration's Treasury Department explains the role of government-sponsored enterprises in opening the housing market with more affordable options.

July 10, 2019 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Baltimore

The Fair Housing Act at 50

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, Penn IUR Faculty Fellows Vincent Reina and Susan Wachter bring experts together to debate the important topic.

April 24, 2019 - Penn IUR Urban Link

Texas State Capitol building

Texas State Legislators Aim to Reduce Their Own Housing Sway

Current Texas law grants state representatives significant power over whether affordable developments receive federal tax credits. Controversially, several representatives have proposed the reduction of their own authority in that regard.

April 18, 2019 - Next City

Los Angeles in 1939, as determined by the  Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).

Housing Discrimination Still a Vast Problem, Survey Finds

In a survey conducted last October, Zillow found that 27 percent of respondents believe they've experienced housing discrimination. National Fair Housing Alliance president Lisa Rice discusses why that is.

February 21, 2019 - Zillow Research

Newark

Affordable Housing Cap-and-Trade Idea Resurfaces

In New Jersey, a cap-and-trade system existed for two decades and appeared to just perpetuate housing and social inequities. But now legislators and researchers are considering it again.

January 4, 2019 - CityLab

HUD

Under Ben Carson, HUD Abdicates Fair Housing Responsibilities

Civil rights advocates are claiming that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is no longer in the business of enforcing fair housing laws.

December 28, 2018 - The Washington Post

Apartment renter

Fair Housing Bill Targets Voucher Discrimination

A bipartisan bill tackles landlords' unwillingness to rent to housing voucher holders.

November 21, 2018 - Housing Wire

A Black woman stands in front of a home holding an umbrella and smiling.

Lessons From Cities With Majority Black Homeownership

Locations with majority black homeownership have plenty to teach about closing the country's home ownership gap.

August 19, 2018 - Pew

Supreme Court of the United States

The New Supreme Court and the Future of Fair Housing

The retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy introduces the possibility that a future court will overturn the doctrine of disparate impact central to fair housing practices and policies.

July 2, 2018 - CityLab

HUD

Amid Turmoil, HUD Relaxes Fair Housing Enforcement

The department's activities, or lack thereof, under the Trump administration have caused housing advocates a lot of consternation. Under Ben Carson, is HUD abandoning its fair housing mission?

April 3, 2018 - The New York Times

Seattle Apartments

Pressing Pause on 'Rent Bidding' Apps

Several new apps allow landlords to place available units out to bid. The city of Seattle is concerned the apps might exacerbate prices in an already expensive rental market.

March 28, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Hate Groups in the U.S. Are Both 'Concentrated and Considerably Spread Out'

A new study shows that these groups exist in around 10 percent of counties, and those counties are scattered across all 50 states.

March 19, 2018 - CityLab

Bed Stuy view

New HUD Rule Could Redefine the Geography of Section 8 Voucher Payments

A new rule will make it easier to send vouchers for rent assistance to wealthier neighborhoods. The Trump Administration is not a willing partner in this effort.

January 29, 2018 - Next City

Trump Campaign

Pushing Against HUD, Fair Housing Activists Look to Procedure

With the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule on the ropes, a legal strategy has emerged to challenge HUD's plan to delay enforcement.

January 19, 2018 - CityLab

Robert Weaver Building

Trump Deals a Blow to Fair Housing Rules

The Trump Administration is gutting a key requirement of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule enacted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama Administration.

January 5, 2018 - The New York Times

Multi-Family Building

Fair Housing Act May Cover Renters with Criminal Records

The largest private landlord in the U.S. faces a discrimination suit for refusing to rent to people with criminal records.

January 4, 2018 - Center for Investigative Reporting

Affordable Housing

The Unequal Distribution of Public Housing Across Los Angeles

KPCC has published an interactive map showing the publicly funded affordable housing developments in Los Angeles County.

August 31, 2017 - KPCC

U.S> Department of Housing and Urban Development

Trump Administration Suddenly Drops Fair Housing Concerns in Westchester, New York

The news that the Trump Administration hired a former party planner to oversee HUD's New York and New Jersey office went viral in June. The hire has already had an effect on affordable housing policy in Westchester County, New York.

July 19, 2017 - lohud

San Jose, California

San Jose Approves Tenant Protections, Studying a Ban on Voucher Discrimination

The city of San Jose, California is crafting regulations to give renters and low-income residents more rights and access to fair housing.

May 14, 2017 - The Mercury News

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.