affordability

August 6, 2026

The “Naivety” of NYC’s RFP for 5 Publicly Funded, Private Operated Grocery Stores

TPR excerpts here the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s RFP issued July 27 which seeks operators for N.Y.C.— five publicly funded, privately operated grocery stores, one per borough, by 2029. NYCEDC will fund and deliver turnkey fit-out, cover rent and property taxes across a term of at least ten years. NYCEDC will retain ownership of the store brand; selected operators will merchandise and staff the stores and sell a designated "Core Basket" of produce, meat, seafood, and essential groceries at prices averaging 30 percent below retail, supported by negotiated "Affordability Payments" underwriting the resulting operating deficits. Restaurant insider Nick Kokonas’ online analysis of the RFP is also included and follows.

May 5, 2025

CA Assembly Appropriations Chair Buffy Wicks’ Housing Legislative Update

TPR publishes recent remarks from California Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair Buffy Wicks, delivered at the LABC Mayoral Housing, Transportation and Jobs Summit in which she underscores the urgent need for reforming the state’s permitting and regulatory processes, particularly CEQA, to accelerate housing production, reduce costs, and meet California’s clean energy and climate goals.

March 7, 2022

Former LA City Planning Director Con Howe Opines on Today’s Housing & Planning Successes

As the Los Angeles City Planning Department continues its process of updating and releasing community and citywide zoning codes, Con Howe, former Los Angeles Director of City Planning from 1992 to 2005, provides TPR with an optimistic and rather bullish take on the current state of land use and urban planning.

December 8, 2021

CEQA Protects California Despite Special Interests’ 'Big Lie'

TPR shares here with permission this column by Roger Lin (pictured), attorney at the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA), and Douglas Carstens, partner with Chatten-Brown, Carstens & Minteer, LLP, debunking the myth that CEQA is to blame for California's housing affordability crisis.