Housing
An Urban Tale: NYC's East 93rd Street
New York Times writer Chistopher Gray chronicles the history and recent renovation of New York City's 'brownstone Grand Canyon' on East 93rd street.
Power Blue City Welcomes Green Condos
Designed by architect William McDonough, a pair of towers recently approved for downtown Chapel Hill will be the first mixed-use development to meet LEED Gold standards in North Carolina.
Is Affordable Housing Policy The Solution, Or The Problem?
More common sense is needed in creating and managing the litany of federal, state and local policies intended to create more affordable housing.
Will Growth-Averse Berkeley Go High-Rise?
In response to meeting regional housing demand requirements stipulated by the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee of Berkeley, California, considers a high-rise development plan proposed by city staff.
FEMA's Toxic Trailers?
The Nation magazine investigates whether 100,000 FEMA-purchased trailers are releasing toxic fumes from materials used in their construction, and made worse by low quality standards as the trailers were constructed at breakneck speeds.
Bringing New Orleans' Music Back Home
The largest redevelopment project to date in New Orleans -- a city known worldwide for its music -- is aimed at bringing musicians back to town by giving them a place to live.
Hard Times Ahead For 'Mortgage Slaves'?
The dramatic downturn in American real estate markets, combined with extraordinary levels of national debt, point to an economic crisis on par with the Great Depression, writes Mike Whitney.
Locals Lament 12,000-Home Development In Florida
To the dismay of many residents, plans have been submitted for a housing development of more than 12,000 units in western Palm Beach County, Florida. Zoning and building guidelines would have to be changed to allow the development.
Home Prices Higher In 71 Metro Areas
Realtors' report shows double-digit increase in housing prices in 14 metro areas, despite national decrease; high values attributed to affordability, job growth.
Second Home Owners Learn To 'Think Small'
Either for temporary residence or as a second vacation home, small dwellings are becoming increasingly popular.
Can't Find Housing For Your Workers? Buy A Motel!
Motels fill a critical housing niche in Montana's booming mountain resort region known as "Big Sky" outside Yellowstone Park: they house area workers as well as guests. While the rooms are shared to reduce costs, dangerous commuting is eliminated.
A Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy Is More Than Just Inclusionary Zoning
Participating on Oakland’s Inclusionary Housing Blue Ribbon Commission, a home builder points to the futility of inclusionary zoning and lists effective alternatives that should be included in a comprehensive approach to building affordable housing.
Affordable Housing Vs. Disneyland
The possibility of an affordable housing development being built near the gates of Disneyland sent the park's officials to a recent Anaheim City Council Meeting. A vote expected by many to pass resulted in a tie, and the housing project faded away.
Foreclosures Hurting Denver Neighborhoods
A new report from a Denver task force on foreclosures reveals that several neighborhoods in the city are suffering from high foreclosure rates.
Are Zillow's Estimates Of Home Prices Accurate?
How accurate is the popular website that offers free estimates of home values?
New Housing Prohibited In Crowded School Areas
In Harford County, Maryland, an ordinance has been approved that would strictly limit the development of new homes in areas with overcrowded schools.
Atlanta To Demolish Nearly All Its Public Housing
As the city plans to demolish most of its public housing, the only publicly-subsidized units remaining will be offered to senior citizens. Displaced residents will be given counseling and vouchers enabling them to live anywhere in the country.
Miami's McMansion Moratorium
A measure has been passed in South Miami that places a moratorium of construction of new two-story houses -- a measure aimed at preventing development of oversized homes, or McMansions.
Booming Manhattan Pieds-À-Terre: Driving Out Middle Class And Reducing City's Vitality
Prestigious Manhattan locations are being purchased by absentee buyers for their occasional visits, with ill effects for those who want to call Manhattan their first home. New construction is often targeted for wealthy part-timers, not residents.
Tap Running Dry On Mortgage Refinancing
Higher interest rates, cooling housing markets, restrictive mortgages and more cautious banks are combining to choke off the home refinancing market. The current wave of mortgage defaults could be just the "tip of the iceberg."
Pagination
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