Declining rental vacancy rates and increased interest in urban living are putting upwards pressure on housing prices throughout the country. But 2012 wasn't all bad news for attempts to retain and expand affordable housing in American cities.
Eva Wingren recounts the "Top 5 Wins" for affordable housing over the last year, which, in general, was defined by "local communities enacting some common sense changes to improve affordable housing opportunities for their neighbors." Wingren's list runs the gamut, from housing trust fund victories in several communities, to new regulations allowing for more compact dwellings, to successful efforts to end chronic veteran homelessness. Below is her list:
- Funding for affordable housing trust funds
- Small homes gained acceptance
- Homelessness dropped as chronically homeless veterans received permanent housing
- Affordable Care Act recognizes housing as a health issue
- Home prices finally stabilize
FULL STORY: 2012’s Top 5 Wins for Affordable Housing
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Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research