Housing Crisis

Defeating SB 827 Did Not Discourage the YIMBY Movement
Though the California housing bill was a high-profile failure for pro-development activists, there are initiatives all over the country that carry its spirit.

On the Do's and Don'ts of Housing Policy
Brookings has put together nine rules for more cohesive and effective housing policy, despite federalism's tendency to create near-infinite local variety.

Denver Bans 'Slot Homes,' But Not Before They Changed Neighborhoods
Aerial photos show just how completely some areas of the city were transformed before the building typology was eliminated earlier this week.

Can Density Prevent Diabetes?
In Australia, a new study will determine the best ways to make high-density developments healthy places to live.

Looking for a Starter Home in Dallas? Good Luck
According to a new study, fewer than 10 percent of homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are priced for first-time buyers.

The Best Option in a Housing Crisis: Build More
Some oppose housing on the grounds that building in expensive cities just makes more homes for rich people. According to and, while there's some truth to that, adding housing beats the alternative.

How Mobile Homes Fill a 'Critical Gap' in Affordable Housing
Cities across America have a housing crisis on their hands—should they be talking more about trailer parks?

Could Los Angeles Have Made Better Use of Former Redevelopment Funds?
After a state decision to abolish California's redevelopment agencies seven years ago, Los Angeles still received some of that money, directing it to city services instead of affordable housing.

America Has Nowhere Near Enough Extremely Low-Income Housing
More than a quarter of renter households in the United States earn 30 percent or less of area median income. And no state in the country can house them.

Dallas Housing Proposal Aims for Equity, Finally
Not only does the plan promise more affordable housing, it’s also supposed to deliver “access to more upwardly mobile communities."

All About Single-Family Rentals
Single-family rentals are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. housing market—and they're not going away anytime soon, a new study suggests.

Calling for 10 Million Units of Social Housing
A new paper by the People's Policy Project explains why and how a government-owned municipal housing development, i.e., social housing, can address the nation's housing affordability crisis.
Jersey City Demolition Ban Is All About the 'Bayonne Box'
An inexpensive architectural style is deemed unfit for a town looking to preserve its history—and become a more sophisticated city.

Protests Push O.C. to Kill Its First Real Plan to Help the Homeless
The affluent county finally authorized a concrete plan to address a housing crisis, but forceful opposition from residents put them 'back to Square One.'

Silicon Valley Isn't Really Over
Though a handful of recent articles predicted "peak Silicon Valley," new numbers show the region is still producing lots of good jobs and attracting plenty of venture capital.

Is Mass Timber the Solution to California's Housing Crisis?
One writer argues that cost, versatility and visual appeal makes this new building material exactly what the state will need if planned regulatory changes go through.

California Spends $6.5 Billion on Homeowner Subsidies, 15 Times Less on Renters
A new report from the California Housing Partnership "revealed a wide gap between state support for homeowners and renters."

In California, Policies Spur Rebuilding in the Wildland-Urban Interface
After the worst wildfire season ever, changes to local land use and state insurance rules essentially ensure that the same thing will happen again.

L.A.'s Mayor Garcetti Sides With Single-Family Housing Near Transit
Politicians are taking positions on a controversial California housing bill to densify by transit. Even after amendments were accepted on March 1 in response to concerns about displacement and demolitions, the mayor of Los Angeles remains opposed.

Bill Would Force Locals to Follow BART's Plans for Station-Adjacent Development
Another bill under consideration by the California State Legislature would take land use control away from local agencies near transit stations. In this case, the new authority would be regional.
Pagination
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