Blog
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May 20, 2024
Planners’ Call for Zoning Reform at the Federal Level
Planners across the country are joining APA for Planners' Day to tell Congress why communities need federal action on zoning reform. -
May 8, 2024
5 Reasons to Join APA for Planners' Day
This is a unique opportunity to sharpen your advocacy and communication skills, meet one-on-one with members of Congress, and explain why your community needs federal support for housing and zoning reform. -
April 5, 2024
FY24 Spending Package: What You Need to Know About Housing
APA Public Affairs staff break down the support for housing and zoning reform in the FY24 spending bill and what it means for planners. -
February 28, 2024
5 Federal Zoning Reform Bills Every Planner Should Know
Five federal zoning reform bills, endorsed by APA, that every planner should know. -
January 2, 2024
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule Finalized by Biden Administration
The Federal Highway Administration finalized an APA-supported planning rule for greenhouse gas emissions, including the release of a reduction tool to move climate change performance measurement forward. -
December 12, 2023
It Takes A Planner to Reconnect Cleveland’s Lakefront
Cleveland planners invited nearly 100 elected officials to come together and discuss the role of planning in shaping the city's future. -
November 15, 2023
Minneapolis Appeals Ruling That Delays Implementation of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Minneapolis is appealing a recent court ruling that blocked the 2040 comprehensive plan from transforming housing in the city. -
November 14, 2023
Top Five Takeaways: White House Housing Fact Sheet
The Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions last month to support and accelerate commercial-to-residential conversions through new federal guidance on financing and tax incentives, technical assistance, and the reuse of federal properties. -
November 8, 2023
Support for Zoning Reform Across Capitol Hill
The PRO-Housing Program cleared important legislative hurdles this month after gaining a second year of funding in the Senate transportation and housing funding bill and passing as an amendment in the House's version of the same funding bill. -
October 18, 2023
Three Governors Issue Executive Orders on Housing to Increase Supply
Governors of Colorado, New York, and Hawaii have exercised their executive powers to implement various levels of zoning reform within their states. -
October 13, 2023
No State Immune to Housing Supply Shortage
A new report, sponsored by APA, finds that the nation's housing supply shortage is getting worse, faster — especially for small towns and suburban communities that face high housing demand in the aftermath of the pandemic. -
August 30, 2023
Federal Zoning Reform Funding Available Now
A new federal competitive grant program – totaling $85 million – is now available to help local governments develop and implement policies that create and preserve housing options by breaking down barriers to zoning reform. -
July 17, 2023
Planning Priorities Face Cuts in Congress
Federal investments in zoning reform, climate action, and infrastructure are on the line this week as Congress moves to reduce federal spending for the next fiscal year. APA unpacks the disappointing cuts and the legislative pathway forward. -
May 31, 2023
Five Key ADU State Bills
A list of accessory dwelling unit bills that were introduced in 2023 state legislative sessions. -
May 30, 2023
How to Overcome ADU Barriers
APA and AARP partner to create a guide to expand local supply and legal occupancy of ADUs -
April 21, 2023
It Takes a Planner: Communicating Your Value to Policymakers
APA is launching “It Takes a Planner”, an effort aimed at building the influence of planners among state and local elected and appointed officials. -
March 24, 2023
State of the State Addresses Aim to Tackle the Housing Crisis
Governors address housing policies in state of state addresses in 2023. -
January 20, 2023
What to Expect in State Legislatures on Zoning Reform in 2023
State legislatures in 2022 focused on increasing affordable housing within their respective regions. The trend of state legislatures preempting zoning reform is expected to continue in 2023 across the country. -
January 10, 2023
Congress Funds New ‘YIMBY’ Grants for Zoning Reform
Congress passes a new $85 million grant program aimed at zoning reform. The funding represents a new and significant incentive and support for local zoning reform and planning for housing affordability. -
September 20, 2022
Five+ Federal Infrastructure Programs Every Planner Should Know
The passage of the landmark Bipartisan Infrastucture Law saw the largest direct investment in community planning in a century. Here are 5+ new or expanded programs created by BIL that every planner should know about right now. -
July 18, 2022
Housing Scarcity Is Worse Than Ever
A recent report demonstrates that the underproduction of housing units affects 47 states and Washington D.C., and its impacts are being felt in all kinds of places, from dense urban areas to small, rural towns. -
May 17, 2022
Addressing the Nation's Housing Crisis
Get the latest information on housing reforms at state and federal levels, including the Biden administration's launch of the Housing Supply Action Plan. -
March 14, 2022
Planners’ Input on Broadband Sought by Biden Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is preparing rules for implementing new federal broadband programs authorized and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Planners are actively working with administration officials to ensure that any new regulations proposed to support implementation position communities to better plan for broadband. -
November 4, 2021
White House Embraces Federal Zoning Reform Provision
New federal support for zoning reform is in President Biden's Build Back Better framework thanks to planners' advocacy. White House leaders recently made the case for why tackling zoning and housing supply challenges is at the center of the President's economic agenda. -
August 4, 2021
Pro-Planning Infrastructure Bill Poised to Clear Senate Hurdle
Planners' infrastructure priorities will hit an important milestone later this week (August 4, 2021) when the Senate passes the bipartisan infrastructure bill. -
July 13, 2021
States Take Aim at Carbon Emissions and Climate Consequences
State governments are finding new ways to amplify local and regional planning efforts that take aim at curbing harmful carbon emissions and ensuring climate impacts do not disproportionately burden underserved communities. Here is a look at some actions states are taking to help communities secure net-zero futures. -
May 20, 2021
Advocating For Zoning Reform
Catch up on the latest efforts by planners who are leading zoning reform across the country. -
April 13, 2021
Connecticut Planners Take Zoning Reform Fight to the State
Zoning reform efforts are underway in Connecticut, a state with a long history of exclusionary zoning. Several bills that aim to tackle zoning reform are in play at the legislature this session — and planners are weighing in. -
April 2, 2021
Federal Housing Bill Creates New Support and Incentives For Planning
A bipartisan bill that would empower planners to reform zoning and development codes, create housing action plans, and modernize regulatory structures has been introduced in Congress. -
April 2, 2021
Administration’s Bold Infrastructure Plan Holds Promise For Planners, But Questions Remain
Planners and communities are eager to see transformational infrastructure policy move forward in Washington. While President Biden's infrastructure plan offers much promise, there are also important questions that remain unanswered about support for planning-led solutions in any infrastructure package. -
March 25, 2021
Return of Congressional Earmarks Marks New Funding Opportunity For Planners
Earmarks are back on Capitol Hill, giving planners a new pathway for securing funding for critical projects. APA's Jason Jordan breaks down what planners need to know to secure federal support for transportation project earmarks. -
January 27, 2021
Planners Secure Zoning Reform Win in Massachusetts
A new economic development bill includes provisions that will make it easier for towns and cities across Massachusetts to produce more housing by greenlighting certain local zoning changes with a simple majority vote. -
September 9, 2020
4 Cost-Effective Ways Planners Can Boost Census Response
With less than a month before the end of data collection for the 2020 Census, planners are making final efforts to help increase self-response rates in the hardest-to-count neighborhoods. -
August 19, 2020
Centering Planning in the Federal Surface Transportation Debate
With the nation's current surface transportation law set to expire next month, APA Policy Director Jason Jordan explores the path to reauthorization legislation and the status of key planning priorities. -
July 8, 2020
Congress Looks to Planning as a Climate Crisis Solution
A new congressional climate action plan positions planning as one solution to tackling climate change. APA supported the creation of the plan by contributing ideas for how federal climate policy can set the context for effective local and regional plans. -
February 3, 2020
3 Top Issues for Planners in 2020 State Legislatures
As 2020 state legislative sessions start up, here are three top issues for planners. -
August 6, 2019
Address the Nation’s Housing Crisis: Action for the States
State legislation is a part of housing reform. Here are APA's actions for the states. -
August 2, 2019
Federal Surface Transportation Debate Shifts Into High Gear
The nation's current surface transportation law is set to expire on September 30, 2020. Learn where work on the bill stands now, the legislative process ahead, and how planners can influence the outcome. -
July 11, 2019
Mayors Are Addressing the Housing Crisis — And Planning Is Part of the Solution
Read about the three key housing crisis takeaways for planners in the new National League of Cities Housing Task Force report, Homeward Bound. -
July 1, 2019
What Did and Didn't Change With the Supreme Court’s Knick Decision
APA Amicus Committee Chair John Baker explains what the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn a longstanding property takings precedent means for planners. -
May 13, 2019
Washington Talks Infrastructure: Will This Time Be Different?
APA Policy Director Jason Jordan reviews the current state of legislative debates on infrastructure in Washington and explores the ways in which APA and its planning advocates are influencing policy ideas in the making. -
April 22, 2019
Street Air on Earth Day
Members of the Street Air Project have studied the air pollution problem in Bay View, California, with the goal of quantifying the issues and seeking scientific and planning-related solutions. -
January 29, 2019
Four Plans for Shaping the Future of Puerto Rico
A summary of four plans that will shape Puerto Rico’s response to the urgent humanitarian needs of the island’s residents after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. -
November 7, 2018
10 Takeaways from the 2018 Midterm Elections
The 2018 Midterm Elections delivered historic firsts and set the stage for shifts in power likely to affect legislative outcomes on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures nationwide. APA reviews the key takeaways. -
October 26, 2018
Planners at the Polls: Housing, Infrastructure on 2018 Ballots
State and local ballot measures are driving voters to the polls this fall. We are watching some key planning-related measures that could have an impact on your community. -
October 12, 2018
Hazard Mitigation Reforms Hitch a Ride on FAA Bill
Congressional legislation reauthorizing the FAA included important reforms that promote hazard mitigation and resiliency. The legislation marks one of the most sweeping changes to federal hazard programs in years. -
October 4, 2018
Congressional Funding Could Affect Your Local Park
Funding for our parks, green spaces, and the National Park Service are on Congress's agenda. APA is calling on planning advocates to ensure these vital spaces and sources of funding will be protected. -
March 26, 2018
California's Urgent Search for Housing Solutions
Housing affordability challenges across the nation are some of the most pressing and controversial. Learn more about California housing legislation and the role of planners. -
March 15, 2018
Infrastructure Remains a Priority, But Funding Still a Question Mark
APA's Policy Director Jason Jordan recaps the latest congressional overtures on an infrastructure package. -
March 1, 2018
Tax Law Creates New Opportunity Zone Program; Planners Must Act Early
The deadline for states to apply for an Opportunity Zone designation is fast approaching. Planners need to act quickly to ensure that their communities do not miss out on this important opportunity.
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