Housing Crisis

Primary Image
St. Paul Minnesota

Aggressive Rent Control Measure Approved by St. Paul Voters

One of the nation's most aggressive rent stabilization measures, which caps rent increases at 3 percent regardless of inflation or the age of the building, will become the law in St. Paul.

November 3, 2021 - Pioneer Press

Rendering of 100-home 3D-printed community

World's Largest 3D-Printed Community Planned In Austin

The process aims to reduce labor hours and material waste, dramatically cutting construction costs for new housing.

November 3, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Capitol Hill

Budget Negotiations Force Retreat of Biden's Housing Ambitions

The Build Back Better agenda is in retreat—including much of the substance on a plan to spend $330 billion to tackle the nation's housing affordability crisis.

November 1, 2021 - Vox

Empty living room/dining room in an apartment in a 1920s apartment house, Los Angeles, California.

Spiking Rents Putting More People at Risk of Eviction

Housing costs across the country are becoming more and more unaffordable for low- and moderate-income households, a trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 26, 2021 - The New York Times

New Zealand parliament

New Zealand Lawmakers Propose Countrywide 'Medium Density Residential Standards'

The country of New Zealand could take the drastic step of implementing planning reforms that allow more dense residential developments throughout the country.

October 20, 2021 - Stuff

Washington D.C.

D.C.'s Housing and Homelessness Crises Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

To reduce homelessness, advocates say, build more affordable housing.

October 14, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Apartment for Rent

U.S. Rents Spiking As More Renters Enter the Market

All of the nation's largest metro areas are experiencing sharp growth in costs and demand for rental housing, posing even more challenges for low-income renters.

October 11, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Atlanta Civic Center

Housing Trust Fund Proposed for Atlanta

An ordinance proposed by an Atlanta City Councilmember would establish the "Building the Beloved Community Affordable Housing Trust Fund"—with a commitment to spend 2 percent of the city's general fund annually.

October 7, 2021 - Atlanta Civic Circle

Charlotte Housing Development

The Consequences of 'Runaway' Housing Prices

There's been no shortage of discussion and debate about what's causing the price of homes in the United States to skyrocket at record rates, but less discussion of the consequences for housing market trends on the broader economy.

October 7, 2021 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

California Houses

Eliminating Single-Family Zoning Alone Won't Solve California's Housing Crisis

While zoning reforms can help reduce barriers to building more housing, high construction costs and local opposition mean that the state won't see an immediate boom in density.

October 1, 2021 - Slate

Coronavirus

More Insight Into the Effects of the Pandemic for Rental Property Landlords

A pair of recent surveys attempt to shed light on the changing business and property management practices of landlords during the pandemic.

September 30, 2021 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Lawns and Suburban Homes

U.S. Housing Prices Continue Record-Breaking Pace

July marked four straight months of record-breaking increases for housing prices nationwide, according to the latest housing market data.

September 30, 2021 - U.S. World News and Report

Los Angeles, California

The End of Single-Family Zoning in California

Despite a few high-profile failures, the California State Legislature has approved a steady drumbeat of pro-development reforms that loosen zoning restrictions. The state raised the stakes on its zoning reforms this week.

September 19, 2021 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

A Black LIves Matter Protest, with a protestor holding up a sign that reads "Open Your Eyes: Systemic Racism Is Real"

Plan Would Add Thousands of New Black, Latino Homeowners in Milwaukee

A new plan to add 18,000 affordable housing units in Milwaukee is the latest in a string of efforts by the city to ensure housing affordability to all income levels and address the racial homeownership gap in the city.

September 10, 2021 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

The historic Pearl District in San Antonio is pictured on a beautiful dat.

$250 Million Affordable Housing Ballot Headed to the Ballot in San Antonio

For the first time in the city's history, a housing bond will appear on a citywide ballot in San Antonio.

September 8, 2021 - San Antonio Heron

New York politicians, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio, gather in front of microphones for a press conference.

New Light on Basement Apartments in NYC After Ida's Tragedies

Basement apartments were the least safe place to be as the remnants of Hurricane Ida sent floodwaters ripping through the Northeast.

September 8, 2021 - The New York Times

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Homeownership an Uphill Battle for Black New Yorkers

Black home buyers face an array of challenges when trying to buy homes, leading to a widening gap between Black and white homeowners.

September 2, 2021 - New York Times

Homes

The Limits of Citywide Upzoning

A study shows zoning reform isn't a silver bullet for the housing crisis. In some low-income and BIPOC neighborhoods, it could 'cause more harm than good.'

September 1, 2021 - Next City

Washington D.C. - The White House

White House Announces Plans for 100,000 Affordable Homes

The Biden administration has proposed a suite of policy and funding programs designed to create and protect 100,000 affordable housing units. If successful, the program will still fall well short of the need.

September 1, 2021 - James Brasuell

Single-Family Housing Construction

Watch: The Laws and Policies Driving Up the Cost of Housing

A Vox explainer video tackles the rising cost of housing in the United States.

August 31, 2021 - Vox via YouTube

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.