More than half of California renters spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing, making it the fifth-highest rate in the country. But a measure that would have lifted restrictions on local rent control failed this month by 22 points.
A ballot measure would replace an existing tax with a larger one, raising more than $1 billion annually to fund a wider variety of services. It faces an uncertain future at the ballot box.
Whether it’s backyard housing or in-law suites, attitudes are changing on accessory dwelling units as a cheaper, quicker route to housing affordability and availability.
People spend years waiting for federal housing vouchers. That’s because of policy choices made decades ago.
Proposition 33 would allow cities to limit rent increases. Some economists doubt that’s a good idea.
Baltimore has approximately 13,000 vacant homes across the city. State and local officials are aiming to transition at least 5,000 of those properties into updated homeownership or other positive developments in five years.
By one estimate, only 10 percent of homeless citizens end up casting votes. There are many steps states can take to lower barriers to participation.
With strong mayoral leadership, Atlanta is not only leveraging creative financing to provide housing but also getting tough on landlords of blighted properties. It’s a recognition that homelessness is a moral issue rooted in poor public policy.
A new public opinion survey commissioned by the National Alliance to End Homelessness shows most Americans believe investments in housing and social service can reduce homelessness. A smaller fraction supports law enforcement as a primary solution.
Falling borrowing costs could trigger a flood of additional buyers and send home prices higher but, for now, the number of homes for sale is increasing modestly, rates are falling and home price growth is slowing.
Millions of Americans, particularly people of color buying lower-cost homes, have turned to land contracts and other alternative financing that lack the protections of traditional mortgages. Lawmakers could make these processes a lot safer.
HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program had over 85,000 participants nationwide as of June. Since the program began in 2008, homelessness among veterans in Illinois has decreased by half.
Nine towns are suing New Jersey over a law implementing aspects of the state’s affordable housing requirements. The rules have pushed states to produce more multifamily and low-income housing.
Vice President Kamala Harris proposed a $40 billion “housing innovation fund” to help local governments build more affordable housing. It could be a potential break from most federal housing assistance programs, which are tightly defined.
They’re a constant in urban history, typically launching with excitement but achieving modest results. That doesn’t stop the enthusiasts from dreaming.
California is notorious for its lack of affordable housing. Still, it's seen a dramatic expansion of one type of housing over the past five years, known as ADUs, offering lessons for other states.
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Future in Context
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