The nonprofit known for facilitating affordable homeownership is working to cut costs as traditional construction becomes more expensive.
Houston Habitat for Humanity is turning to modular housing to bring down costs and reduce the time it takes to build its housing projects, reports R.A. Schuetz in the Houston Chronicle.
"Construction costs for a new single-family home have risen over 50% since January of 2019, according to Census estimates. The costs of land, materials, labor and insurance have all increased." Habitat for Humanity Houston is piloting two modular homes and plans to order 21 more for its Houston-area projects. The modular units the nonprofit is using are rated to a higher standard of storm resilience than the typical Houston home.
Read the full story: The unusual Houston home delivery that could shape affordable housing
US Senate Passes Housing Bill With Focus on Financing, Deregulation
The proposal would ease regulations, allow banks to invest more in affordable housing, and change a rule that has been holding back manufactured housing.
How 3D-Printing Can Make Housing More Affordable
Habitat for Humanity is working with 3D-printers to reduce the costs of construction and provide more housing for families in need.
Hartford launches program that uses housing vouchers to facilitate homeownership
The Connecticut capital will allow voucher recipients to use their vouchers toward home payments as a way to build long-term wealth.
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