Balancing Oakland's Budget
Closing the city’s structural deficit to move toward fiscal solvency and economic growth
How the Bay Area Can Get the Most Out of Bike Sharing
News / Ford GoBike has launched in five Bay Area cities. At its planned scale of 7,000 bikes, the program has potential to change how people get around — but only if there are policies in place to help guarantee its success. SPUR shares five ways Bay Area cities can get the most out of this and other bike-sharing programs.
How Clipper Masks the Bay Area’s Transit Fare Policy Problems
News / The next generation of the Clipper transit payment system is now under development. While Clipper has removed a barrier to traveling on different transit operators, it did so only by masking a complex web of transit fares, passes and policies, making it challenging for the region to realize the promise of transit. We take a close look at the problem and recommend next steps.
State Responds to Housing Shortage With Major Package of Bills
News / Governor Jerry Brown and California’s legislative leadership are expected to unveil a package of housing bills this week in response to widespread recognition that the state faces a significant housing shortage and a resulting affordability crisis. The announcement explicitly specified a general obligation bond, a permanent funding source for affordable housing and regulatory reforms, but more proposals are supposedly under discussion.
The Permanent Housing Crisis
Urbanist Article / Over the past 20 years, SPUR has had victories and losses. We’ve run ballot measures, developed reforms to the approval process, pushed for neighborhood plans. We need to do more.
Room for More
SPUR Report / The Silicon Valley economic miracle has become a housing nightmare. As rents and home prices continue to rise, the region’s economic growth, diversity and climate are threatened. As the largest city in the Bay Area, San Jose has a special responsibility to lead on innovative housing solutions. SPUR lays out 20 concrete steps that San Jose can take to address the chronic housing shortage.