Tag: Housing
-
Advocating Housing Policy: 2025 APA Congressional Fly In Recap
For two years now I’ve joined the American Planning Association in Washington D.C. to advocate for impactful housing policy at the federal level. Last year I felt out of my depth having never participated in our political system before. I wasn’t sure what to expect and instead was told to expect the unexpected–the meeting could…
Written by
·
-
Gentrifier
Book Review Gentrification is a term we’ve all heard, but few truly understand its complex mechanics. Anne Elizabeth Moore’s memoir “Gentrifier” offers a uniquely personal window into this process, chronicling her experience after winning a “free house” in Detroit through a writer’s residency program. What initially seemed like a dream opportunity quickly unraveled into a…
Written by
·
-
Homelessness is a Housing Problem
Book Review I have been in my new role as Community Development Manager for almost a year now and one of the steepest learning curves for me was understanding our continuum of care and homeless outreach services. There is a whole network of agencies and departments working to support families and individuals at risk of…
Written by
·
-
Boost the Historic Tax Credit
Despite all the evidence that historic tax credits, at either the state or federal level, easily pay for themselves and then some, they always seem to be under constant threat. With the current climate of cut funding as fast as possible, it’s no surprise that the economic driver for local communities that is the federal…
Written by
·
-
Modular Housing: a solution to the housing crisis
At the University of Nebraska Lincoln, architecture students over the course of several semesters have been both learning and attempting to solve a major housing problem–how to built smaller homes to accommodate the growing aging population in our cities that are looking to downsize while maintaining affordability. This project was initiated by Partners for a…
Written by
·
-
Brave New Home
Book Review The way we live and the spaces we call home have been constantly evolving, yet one truth remains: housing is not just about structures; it’s about communities, economies, and the very fabric of society. The latest episode of the Booked on Planning podcast presents an engaging conversation with author Diana Lind, who offers…
Written by
·
-
From Decline to Growth: Lessons from Company Town Histories
I have been working in small towns across the Midwest for about a year now and have seen firsthand the struggle they face in trying to maintain growth or in some cases, turnaround their decline. Many communities are successful, as noted in the book Our Towns which I recently read and reviewed. Oftentimes, the recommendations…
Written by
·
-
The New Urban Crisis
Book Review The new urban crisis does not have a simple definition. According to Florida, it encompasses the gap between superstar cities and all other cities where success of superstar cities creates high housing costs and inequity, pushing out the working and service class. The growing inequality, segregation and sorting in all metro areas creates…
Written by
·
-
Snob Zones
Book Review In cities across America, residents balk at the idea of density. “Putting twenty-eight homes on just under four acres is crazy.” This is almost the exact density of my neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis which seems perfect to me. My yard is just the right size to mow with a reel lawn mower, but…
Written by
·
-
The Exploding Metropolis
Book Review Despite how it may appear, in the 1950’s when the car was starting to take over the city, there were people concerned. William Whyte Jr., along with Francis Bello, Symour Freedgood, Daniel Seligman, and the famous Jane Jacobs each wrote a chapter to contribute to the book The Exploding Metropolis. Their topics ranged from designing…
Written by
·
The Planning Lady 