Housing

High-Rise Residential

500 New Housing Units Added to Downtown Evanston

Two new high-rise residential buildings in Evanston, Illinois have added a glut of supply to the downtown market.

December 4, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

San Francisco

Transit-Oriented Housing Development Plan Falls Flat in San Francisco

The Home SF plan was supposed to usher in a wave of new housing development on transit corridors in San Francisco. Now, 2.5 years later, that promise might finally be ready to become reality.

December 4, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Minneapolis

Inclusionary Zoning Set for Council Vote in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan has attracted so much attention for its changes to single-family zoning, the inclusionary zoning recommended by the plan has flown under the radar.

December 3, 2019 - StarTribune

New York Street Parking

Thinking About Infrastructure and Housing, Part 2

Is inadequate infrastructure a reason to keep new housing out of cities?

December 3, 2019 - Michael Lewyn

Apartment Housing

Don't Miss the Middle: The Critical Role of Moderate-Priced Housing to Affordability

To increase affordability communities should support moderate-priced housing development. This increases housing options for middle-income households, and for lower-income through filtering, as households move from low- to moderate-priced units.

December 1, 2019 - Todd Litman

Court Overrules San Jose on California Housing Law

A court ruling means a state law intended to spur affordable housing development by providing incentives for the sale of surplus public land will apply equally in every city in California.

November 30, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Rents Drop in Twin Cities Despite lack of Affordable Housing Construction

Rental prices dropped in Minneapolis and St. Paul in October 2019, but it's too soon to infer lessons from the change in the market.

November 30, 2019 - Pioneer Press

Washington D.C. Stores

D.C. Training Resident Building Inspectors

A new program enables everyday citizens the chance to work as building inspectors in the nation's capital.

November 29, 2019 - Urban Turf

Homeless Man

Calling for More Humane Treatment, and News Coverage, of the Homeless

Two articles raise questions about the state of humanity, as evidenced by the way news organizations and politicians write and talk about the homeless.

November 28, 2019 - Streetsblog LA

Robert Weaver Building

Help Wanted: HUD Seeks Info About Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is crowdsourcing information about the regulatory barriers to affordable housing.

November 27, 2019 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Moving Truck

U.S. Migration Reaches 72-Year Low

Staying in place is more and more the norm, even among historically mobile young people.

November 26, 2019 - Brookings

California

Multi-Family Leads Recent Housing Uptick in California

With stronger state mandates kicking in, California housing permits rose sharply in September. But as one construction industry commentator noted, an uptick isn't a trend.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

babyt Boomer Homeowners

Study: Boomers Leaving Their Homes Will Dramatically Increase Housing Supply

New analysis by Zillow predicts a "Silver Tsunami" of residential properties coming to the market as Baby Boomers leave the housing market. The effect could be like the housing boom of the mid-2000s.

November 26, 2019 - Zillow

Riverside, California

Evaluating the Results of New Protections for Affordable Housing Development

California's Senate Bill 35 is touted by affordable housing advocates and other pro-development forces as an example of what good developments can happen when local obstructions are moved out of the way by the state.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

Major Milestone for Chicago-Area Land Bank

The Cook County Land Bank Authority recently participated in its 500th rehab project. Homeowners and entrepreneurs have benefitted along the way.

November 26, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Home Repairs

Federal Housing Administration Expands Housing Rehab Support to Opportunity Zones

The Limited 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program will now be available in federally designated Opportunity Zones, and with more to loan than in the previous iteration of the program.

November 25, 2019 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Home Sold Sign

How One Startup Approaches Rent-To-Own

Founded two years ago, Divvy buys homes for cash and then leases them to tenants who apply part of their rent toward a down payment.

November 25, 2019 - Tampa Bay Times

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Seattle Companies Want to Drive Down Prohibitive ADU Costs

Legal barriers to accessory dwelling units may be disappearing in some places, but costs can still be prohibitive. Several companies are stepping forward with more affordable options.

November 25, 2019 - The Urbanist

British Columbia

Vancouver Making Room for More Apartments

As a response to rising rental prices and low vacancy rates, Vancouver planners have created a package of zoning and process changes to provide incentives for new multi-family developments.

November 25, 2019 - The Vancouver Sun

South Los Angeles Market-Rate Housing Development

Controversial Housing Development Nixed in South L.A.

The local planning commission for South Los Angeles rejected a controversial multi-family housing development proposed for a location adjacent to a future light rail station.

November 24, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

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