The state’s new governor wants to shrink the power of the agency, which has spearheaded essential flood protection and mitigation efforts since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Louisiana’s robust coastal protection plans are under threat from Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to radically transform the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, say environmental advocates.
Christopher Dalbom, a senior research fellow at Tulane University, calls the agency “one of the best, deepest coastal restoration authorities in the country.” Since its inception in 2005, the authority has built or repaired over 300 miles of levees and restored coastal barrier islands.
As Shannon Osaka explains in The Washington Post, “Landry, who took office in January, has removed six members of the coastal restoration agency’s board and suggested subsuming it into another, larger department.” Environmental groups worry the shakeup could slow down important projects and inject politics into the agency.
A plan to divert part of the Mississippi River in a region where the shoreline is rapidly sinking could also be in jeopardy after the state stopped fighting a lawsuit claiming it could impact local fishing. “In a state Senate hearing earlier this month, the agency said that if the project is halted, almost $1 billion could go to waste.”
FULL STORY: Louisiana’s coast is sinking. Advocates say the governor is undermining efforts to save it.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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