With urban living becoming a more popular choice, especially by young people of means, long-time city residents and small businesses are being priced out of popular neighborhoods.
The problem has worsened in the past decade, with seven out of the 11 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. becoming less affordable to the median metro-area renter between 2006 and 2014. While a few decades ago, city planners were focused on reversing inner city economic decline, today many are facing the challenge of making areas more inclusive and affordable for the working class.
In response, some cities have revamped zoning and land-use planning to create more affordable housing. In East Austin, Texas, for example, the city is allowing construction of accessory dwellings on properties that can be rented to help defray the increased costs of living.
Another option is to encourage more small-footprint, multi-unit housing. City planners are facing more pressure to take action as gentrification protests have proliferated in cities across the country recently.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019
U.S. hotel construction pipeline continues its year-over-year growth
In its eighth consecutive quarter of growth, projects currently under construction stand at 1,729 projects/235,278 rooms.
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019
New retrofit design guide for metal roofing published
Metal Construction Association document provides best practices for re-roofing with metal.
Codes and Standards | Nov 8, 2019
New York City among the top hotel construction pipelines in the United States
Hotels presently under construction are at 102 projects/17,504 rooms.
Codes and Standards | Nov 7, 2019
Group focused on using AI for construction safety gains key members
Major contractors join partnership to share data to predict hazards, incidents.
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2019
Undisclosed ICC agreement with NAHB alleged to thwart more stringent efficiency codes
Homebuilders’ seats on ICC made it easier to block new provisions, report alleges.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2019
ASHRAE releases new version of energy efficiency standard for buildings
Standard 90.1 includes revisions of envelope, lighting, HVAC provisions.
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2019
Resiliency of a community’s housing stock can be measured according to new benchmark
Metric can help municipalities prepare for disasters.
Codes and Standards | Oct 31, 2019
FEMA, ICC release updated guide on integrating I-Codes into floodplain management regulations
Provides advice on satisfying requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Codes and Standards | Oct 30, 2019
ILFI releases new version of Living Building Challenge Framework for Affordable Housing
Document includes updated findings, case studies, new strategies for financing, designing, building affordable housing.
Codes and Standards | Oct 28, 2019
U.S. military demands landlords address health hazards in troop housing
Air Force threatens formal dispute process.