Tag: zoning

Reforming Zoning in a Racist Market Still Worth It

In a racist society, markets cause racist housing outcomes, but nonetheless the influence of land use regulation shouldn't be ignored.

Tenant Rights in Our Backyard—A Panel Discussion

Tenant activists discuss how the housing movement can do better at aligning itself with the tenants' rights movement.

ADUs: Defined, Disambiguated, and Debated

Accessory dwelling units are being touted as a way to provide more affordable rental units for tenants, and additional monthly income for homeowners. But some cities allow them, others don’t. So what are ADUs exactly?

Fair Housing and Zoning: Toward a New Boston?

How Boston became the first city to add fair housing to its zoning regulations.

Say It Ain’t So, Joe: Biden’s Ill-Advised Plan to Eliminate Exclusionary...

A counterintuitive argument contends that from a housing justice perspective, the Biden administration's attack on exclusionary zoning is imprudent.

Massachusetts Strikes a Blow Against Exclusionary Zoning

Proposed state bill in Massachusetts boosts housing production, helps end exclusionary zoning.

Densifying Suburbs Is the Better Path to Housing Affordability

Alan Mallach responds to critiques of his assessment of urban versus suburban upzoning.

More Housing Could Increase Affordability—But Only If You Build It in...

Building more units has been touted as the solution to the housing crisis, but the location of those units may be just as important as the number.

The Case for Letting Developers Pay Not Build

The question of integrating affordable housing units required by inclusionary zoning on-site versus allowing developers to pay a fee to locate them off-site has long been a contentious one.

NYC Hospital Closures: Land-Use Decisions Have Life and Death Consequences

How hospital closures in NYC follows an all-too-familiar pattern of disinvestment and a lack of resources in low-income communities of color.

Under Fire, Aldermanic Prerogative Is Turned to Democratic Ends

Long used to maintain segregationist and discriminatory policy, aldermanic prerogative is now being wielded in a more inclusive way.

Blame Zoning, Not Public Transportation, for Displacement

As long as there’s a shortage of transit-rich, walkable neighborhoods, piecemeal solutions to address affordability issues won’t be enough.

We Need State Law that Allows Multifamily Housing

The New Jersey Legislature should seriously consider adopting a statewide law that defines “single family” zoning as permitting one or two units on one lot.

Shelter Shorts, The Week in Community Development—July 13

A "Good" Payday Lender | Urban Sprawl Is Bad for Your Health | More Nutritious Food for Low-Income Families | This Bank is *Opening* Branches

New York City Needs to Stop Negotiating Rezonings From an Uneven...

What is the underlying dynamic that leads so many council members in low-income communities of color to approve neighborhood rezonings, despite community opposition and the likelihood of increased displacement pressure on existing residents?

Interview with Mayor Ivy Taylor, San Antonio, Texas

The first African-American mayor of the largely Latino and Anglo city, and strongly identified as an urban planner, Taylor casts herself as someone interested more in getting work done than leaving a political legacy. However, she has not shied away from controversial positions, and her initial position that she would not be running for re-election fell by the wayside as she announced her candidacy on February 16, less than two weeks after this interview.

Defending Progressive State Housing and Land Use Policies

The fates of three venerable policies on fair share housing and sustainable land use can point the way for how to support similar efforts in other states.