The pace of rent growth is slowing, but U.S. renters still face growing housing costs in most metro areas.

Rent costs across the country continue to go up, reports Mary Salmonsen in Smart Cities Dive. “The national average rent rose for the second time in a row this year, up $5 to $1,709 from March to April, according to the latest Matrix Multifamily National Report by Yardi Matrix.”
Rents rose in most major cities except for Phoenix and Las Vegas. The largest year-over-year increases were in Indianapolis (7.7 percent), Kansas City, Missouri (6.4 percent), and New York City (6.2 percent).
“While gateway cities aren’t leading the pack in YOY rent growth, New York City and Boston make up two parts of a three-way tie for month-over-month rent growth at 0.9%, along with Raleigh, North Carolina.” Occupancy remains high, at 95 percent.
FULL STORY: Rents continue rising, with moderate growth expected through 2023

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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