American Planning Association’s Post

Looking forward to more details. Tax abatements for BUYERS has made a big difference in our recent past conversions to residential living. What has been a waste was raising our city transfer tax to 5% to fund an affordable housing committee? How is that going? Not well it appears. How about getting that money to non profits to help our unhoused persons? For those of you not burdened by this in PA a transfer tax is charged with every residential real estate transaction. Municipalities can also charge. --If you buy a residential property in the City of Pittsburgh a 5% TRANSFER TAX is assessed on your purchase price! How is that making home buying more affordable for yinz to live and love our amazing city?

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California's Ambitious Reparations Efforts: A Test Case for Urban Planning Conflict Resolution and Infrastructure In a move to lead the way on reparations, California has allocated $12 million in its recent state budget to compensate its Black residents for the harm caused by the legacy of slavery and current discrimination. However, the path forward remains unclear, sparking concerns among reparations advocates that the funds may not be used effectively. Urban planners and policymakers often face similar challenges when navigating complex projects that require conflict resolution and infrastructure development. In the case of California's reparations efforts, the challenge lies in balancing competing interests and needs within the Black community, while also addressing systemic inequalities and historical injustices. Effective conflict resolution and infrastructure development require careful planning, coordination, and communication. In this context, California's allocation of $12 million presents an opportunity to demonstrate these skills. A well-designed reparation plan could involve engaging with local communities, identifying specific needs and priorities, and allocating resources accordingly. For instance, infrastructure projects could focus on revitalizing historically underserved neighborhoods, investing in education and job training programs, or providing access to healthcare services. These investments could not only address historical injustices but also contribute to more equitable and sustainable communities. The key to success lies in embracing a collaborative approach that incorporates diverse perspectives and expertise. By doing so, California can create a model for other states to follow, demonstrating that urban planning and conflict resolution can be powerful tools for addressing systemic injustices and promoting social change. As California navigates this complex issue, it will be important to prioritize transparency, accountability, and community engagement by, building and maintaining relationships between an organization, groups, & individuals. By doing so, the state can ensure that its reparations efforts provide tangible benefits to Black residents and contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Looking forward to this conversation tomorrow at UC Berkeley with Ben Metcalf! We will discuss examples of social housing and how to improve and increase affordable housing in CA and the nation.

The newest episode of #UCLAHousingVoice just dropped, and if you ever wanted to go deep on how inclusionary zoning can help – or hinder – affordable development, here's your chance!

Civic infrastructure can contribute many positive outcomes, but the narrative about civic infrastructure investments rarely elevates these multifaceted outcomes. Reimagining the Civic Commons has developed a powerful way to demonstrate—with data—the many ways that investments in civic infrastructure matter for people and communities. Learn How to Show (and Grow) the Impact of Your Civic Spaces 📰 and access their tools to Measure What Matters. ⚒️

Imagine winning $20.5 million to transform your community with grant funding! A stellar example of a successful story regarding funding is Louisville, Kentucky. The city received $20.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The funding is directed towards two major projects: a $15.5 million implementation grant to fund the design finalization and construction of the Reimagine 9th Street Project and a $5 million planning grant to fund design work for Broadway Street. Both projects will enhance connectivity and economic development, improving efficiency and safety. The projects also include enhancing sustainability in the proposed target areas by encouraging and offering different modes of transportation. Here are links to Louisville’s winning applications: • Broadway All The Way: https://hubs.li/Q02k2Vff0 • Reimagine 9th Street : https://hubs.li/Q02k2Srl0 As of last year, multiple cities and agencies nationwide are transforming their communities with grant funding. Turn your grant dreams into a reality - we are here to help! #RoadSafety #GrantFunding #SustainableCities #FutureMobility

As John Whitmire is inaugurated as Houston's 63rd mayor, many issues are contending for his attention, including the cost of housing. In fact, 73% of Houstonians identified housing affordability as something the mayor should make a priority. They also expressed a surprising level of support for using public dollars to address it, including: *️⃣ Helping low-income families repair their own homes (81% support) *️⃣ Establishing a permanent rental assistance fund (77% support) *️⃣ Creating a universal basic income for low-income working adults (75% support) *️⃣ Paying landlords for rental housing repairs on the condition they keep the units affordable (68% support) Which (if any) would you like to see Houston consider? Find out what other policy positions and solutions Houstonians can get behind in the full report.

"Transit by itself cannot be expected to heal the legacy of decades of racist land use and real estate policies. Only redevelopment that reduces the isolation of low-income and minority areas, and adds more jobs and educational opportunities near them, can do that...A new vision will need to create a set of standards that will accurately reflect the real goals that motivate support for public transit. These will surely include an equity goal that will be a counterweight to a ridership goal, because it will justify service expansions in disadvantaged areas despite their lower ridership potential. The balance between those competing goals will need to be chosen, as a political decision. But as always when there are tradeoffs, expanded funding makes it easier to do both." -Jarrett Walker It'll be interesting to monitor both service visions, especially as someone who's seen and ridden along the evolution of services over the last 30+ years and how access (and opportunities) needs to match demand (yes, 4-year old me read CTA maps as a hobby). https://lnkd.in/gsdwSnk4

It's programs and initiatives like this tourism and economic development become force multipliers in improving local economies and livability factors within communities.