The cost of housing affects millions across the country, but the issue has been conspicuously absent in the campaigns. Hillary Clinton's plan includes an imprecise remedy, while Donald Trump's pronouncements have been vaguer still.
Daniel J. McGraw laments the lack of attention given to affordable housing during this year's boisterous presidential campaigning. He notes, with some understatement, "this election has become more about the personalities of the candidates and the latest campaign gaffes than any real discussion of important issues."
And the issue is important, as most of us are acutely aware. "According to a Harvard report this year, 11.4 million households pay more than half their income for housing, and the number of those who spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing has reached 21.3 million."
Moreover, according to Angela Boyd, managing director of the Make Room campaign, "About 90 percent of the rental housing market being built right now is for luxury, and a whole segment of the population is being overlooked."
Both candidates have addressed the issue to a certain extent. And, no surprise, Hillary Clinton's plan has a bit more meat to it. "Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's plan would try to lift more families into sustainable homeownership through a $25 billion housing investment program that would include low-income housing tax credits and down payment assistance."
Meanwhile, Donald Trump maintains that lowering taxes will spur growth extending to the housing market. "Trump has yet to lay out a full plan with specifics, such as how to reduce spending to pay for the income tax decreases."
FULL STORY: Affordable Housing Gets 2016 Presidential Election Bump
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
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