The pandemic’s effects continue to impact housing markets, with formerly affordable cities seeing a steep rise in housing costs.

Home prices in what were once some of the country’s most affordable cities continue to soar, reports Mary K. Jacob in the New York Post. In Cleveland, home prices rose by 15 percent in 2024, the largest increase among the 50 largest U.S. cities.
Other cities follow closely behind: Milwaukee housing costs rose by 14.5 percent, Philadelphia’s grew by 14 percent, and Miami home costs rose by 11.8 percent. “Nationwide, home prices rose in all 50 of the largest metro areas for the first time since May 2022, with the typical home now costing $427,670.”
For cities that saw a drop in home costs, like Tampa (0.5 percent), this was in part due to increased housing construction, but also growing concerns about flooding and insurance costs. Austin, Texas saw a significant drop in rents last year following zoning reform and an apartment construction boom.
FULL STORY: America’s most affordable housing havens aren’t so affordable anymore

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.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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