The massive federal injection of funding into housing programs has had major impacts on many Americans’ ability to stay housed and out of debt, but fears loom as the end of some funding sources nears.
Writing in Route Fifty, Molly Bolan outlines the results of pandemic-era federal housing investment distributed through the American Rescue Plan Act revealed in a report from the Treasury Department.
Overall, state and local governments have dedicated roughly $63 billion to housing programs and spent about 85 percent of the funds. “State and local governments have spent over $5.5 billion in Homeowner Assistance Funds to help nearly 400,000 households avoid foreclosure, and overall foreclosures nationwide are 13% below pre-pandemic levels.”
When it comes to renters, federal programs have funded over 12.3 million household payments and helped create eviction diversion and mediation programs.
The significant benefits of housing assistance signal the high level of need, prompting concern among advocates as these federal programs come to an end or run out of funds. Bolan points out that some states and cities are developing their own dedicated funding sources to extend housing assistance programs.
Read the full story: By the numbers: How pandemic relief expanded affordable housing
Philadelphia 'Diversion Program' Prevents Evictions Through Mediation
A program that provides mediation between landlords and tenants has helped a majority of applicants avoid eviction, signaling a promising avenue for renter assistance as landlords seek to recoup COVID-era losses.
Report: DC Needs ‘Immense’ Funding Increase to Address Housing Crisis
Close to 60,000 District households can’t afford their housing costs, according to research from the Urban Institute.
Sacramento Households Hit Hard by Evictions
With pandemic-era renter protections ending and rents rising by close to 20 percent, renters in Sacramento are finding it harder to afford housing in the region.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority