Since at least the housing crash, government programs like the mortgage interest deduction that subsidize homeowners over the millions of Americans that rent their homes have come in for criticism. A proposed New York tax might address the imbalance.
"This week, [New York Governor Andrew] Cuomo formally announced the tax-relief blueprint that he'll pursue this year as he prepares for re-election," reports Emily Badger. "And, most notably, the package now includes a renter's tax credit that he says would aid 1.7 million people in New York City."
Though the proposal seems to have been included for political reasons, rather than ideology, "the credit at least acknowledges [renters] presence in New York State (and the fact that many of them may be more in need of housing aid than some homeowners)," writes Badger. "Housing policy that balances the needs of homeowners and renters is sorely needed well beyond New York, but renters in the rest of the country can hardly count on a similar political calculus."
FULL STORY: New York State Floats a Tax Credit for Renters

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
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Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.

Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
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