Topology’s Post

As part of Carlos Gemora's work with affordable housing strategies, Sites Southwest is researching and discussing planning/zoning policies and working with policymakers around the state to create new models to discuss key issues in this area such as helping local jurisdictions, especially rural communities, with organization, management, and vision. What are the most important affordable housing strategies you think local jurisdictions should adopt?

The latest stage of our iterative Issues and Options is live - help to influence the vision for the Colchester Local Plan Review 👇🏻 #planmaking #localplan

#Rural communities continue to be left out of federal funding opportunities amid efforts to invest in rural America, according to a new analysis. High-capacity counties with more staff, resources, and expertise to apply for federal grants win  83% of the time. When it comes to federal funding, small towns are left behind. See how Polco data can help your small town compete with larger cities to win much-needed grants. https://lnkd.in/gE7GJmpw Article by Route Fifty: https://lnkd.in/eQ4pz8yk

Is Australia growing too fast? That’s the question we’re going to ask today. Joining me today is Ross Elliott, a seasoned urban development commentator whose recent article has stirred the pot by highlighting the consequences of Australia's population surge, especially in hotspots like Southeast Queensland. His insights shed light on the pressing issues that come with the significant growth Australia is experiencing. Our conversation uncovers the historical layers of urban density policies and how these affect the development of sufficient infrastructure, such as schools and utilities. We also consider the social inequalities that may deepen because of this rapid growth and discuss the government's plan to construct 1.2 million new homes. Since you're most likely interested in the future of the Australian housing market, this is an important topic for you to learn about https://lnkd.in/gFAc-vsX

The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative promotes collaboration amongst local communities for long-term planning with focus on three key areas: quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity. In this article from the Daily Journal, Aspire’s Amanda Rubadue shares what projects in Johnson County were a part of the first round of funding and the focus on Main Streets for READI 2.0. https://lnkd.in/gQuTgH77

How do we re-invent the New Towns Programme for a modern world? (And not just because I love Milton Keynes but because we have a genuine policy challenge on our hands.)   There are building blocks of the historic New Towns Programme which I cannot see working today: - The private sector had virtually no role. Powerful development corporations ran the show. - The public sector funded the New Towns with fixed interest, low cost debt. - The public sector bought *all* the land at existing use value. - Almost all the homes were social rented. - The New Towns were built in a prosperous economic climate - with low inflation and low interest rates.   Maybe this goes without saying - but we need a completely different model. One which uses the immense capability of our private sector, but doesn't shy away from government's crucial enabling role. Jo Negrini Lee Wratten Joanna Rowelle Vicky Evans Helen Lafferty (c)Edgar Jimenez/Flickr

As we start the debate in the UK about the role of new towns in addressing our national housing shortage, my colleague Hannah Williamson reflects on the success of the post war UK programme and lessons we take from this for today. Importantly, what has changed and the important role of the public and private sector working together to deliver the outcomes we so desperately need for the UK. #wearearup #housing #cities

Spikes in rent, unaffordable and unlivable housing, small businesses shutting down, evictions by developers: urban dwellers are facing a housing crisis across major cities in North America. In response, there has been a growing grassroots movement of tenant and working class communities coming together to take land off the speculative real estate market and reserve it for community benefit. This February, join Chiyi T., a leader in the Community Land Trust movement, for the what, why, and how of community land trusts in this online course. This is an ideal course for anyone with curiosity for alternatives to our current housing and real estate system. This course includes an introduction to: - property and land ownership issues, including colonial private property relations - anti-capitalist approaches to land and participatory models of land use - case studies of Indigenous-led, Black-led, and Chinatown community land trusts in North America - debates, case studies, theoretical literature, and practical tools concerning the CLT movement in North America Saturdays February 3, 10, 17, 24  Time: 12pm - 1:30pm ET on Zoom For more details: https://shorturl.at/anDFZ *Fully-funded spots available*

Caribbean islands are some of the most expensive places to live in the world, housing and therefore land are central to this. The housing crisis many of our cities face, is often reduced to a matter of supply and demand economics, but is actually an intentional political process, with the government marshaling investment, boosting land values, attracting desired residents and industries and chasing away threats to profits (Stein, 2019). Join Island City Lab as we discuss how Caribbean countries are planning and designing affordability crises as we learn about current and historical policies making housing unattainable for Puerto Ricans.

Funding through the PRO Housing program provides an immense opportunity to accelerate implementation of these strategies, particularly through addressing local land use restrictions. The program achieves to aim four goals: * An increase in the amount of land developable for multifamily housing; * A much higher level of housing production; * An end to the net loss of existing affordable housing; and * Improvements on scores of regional segregation