The weight of the pandemic is hanging around millions of renters' necks.

"California’s back rent is projected to reach nearly $1.7 billion by the end of the year, or almost a fourth of the total rental debt nationwide," according to a new report by the Federal Reserve bank of Philadelphia, cited in an article by Jeff Collins.
"In all, nearly 240,000 renter households in the state have fallen behind on rent, with an average debt of $6,953 per household, the study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found."
The report includes findings for the rest of the nation as well. In the entire country, rent debt is project to hit the eyepopping figure of $7.2 billion. "The Philadelphia Fed determined 1.34 million American households will owe an average of $5,400 apiece in unpaid rent," explains Collins.
An article by Davin Reed and Eileen Divringi wrote an article for the Federal Reserve in October to provide insight into the report's findings.
FULL STORY: Back rent in California nearing $1.7 billion, Fed study finds

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

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

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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