Affordable Housing

Bill Would End Tax Breaks for Second Homes in California
AB 71, originating from the California Assembly, would raise funding for low-income housing construction by ending an existing tax break for second homes.

New Pittsburgh Tenants Union: 'A Long Time Coming'
A new citywide tenants union, designed to provide an umbrella for smaller organizations and new levels of education and access to renters, is taking shape in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Another Attempt at California's By-Right Affordable Housing Proposal
The new streamlining bill for affordable housing will not have the governor's name, but that of freshman Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, who made a name for himself as a tenacious housing advocate while San Francisco County Supervisor.

Low Cost Housing Units Disappearing from Philadelphia's Gentrifying Neighborhoods
Researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia find evidence of displacement in Philadelphia's gentrifying neighborhoods.

It's Not Just HUD
Though the HUD choice seems an odd, unqualified one, we should be looking beyond HUD however: Here's why Mnuchin at Treasury is even more worrisome.
Pasadena's Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Called Out as a 'Poison Pill'
Pasadena's accessory dwelling unit is designed more to prevent than accommodate accessory dwelling units. Planner and Pasadena resident Jonathan P. Bell implores the city's Planning Commission to reform it.

Facebook to Donate $20 Million for Housing and Jobs in its Own Backyard
Facebook has decided that being a good neighbor means donating funding toward affordable housing.

What Will A Trump Presidency Mean for Fair Housing?
Rules protecting minorities' access to housing have been strengthened under the Obama administration. That progress could be lost under a HUD Secretary who opposes Fair Housing altogether.

What Happened When Berlin Tried Rent Control?
Enacted in 2015, Berlin's "Mietpreisbremse" ordinance limits rent increases on some (but not all) apartments. According to this study, results have not been ideal.

Philly's Healthy Rowhouse Project Adds a New Low-Interest Loan Program
Philadelphia seeks $60 million bond issue to preserve existing affordable homes and improve residents' health. City seeks to offer city loan guarantee to embolden lenders to extend credit to homeowners with lower credit scores.
Affordable Housing Aimed at Artists Cropping Up In LA.
Los Angeles is building several affordable housing projects for artists.

Revealed: Inequality And Urban Flight Were Products Of The Federal Government.
If you believe sprawl just magically happened, here's something that visually suggests otherwise.

Seattle City Council Parts With Mayor on Affordable Housing Funds
Political drama connected to the funding of affordable will require changes to the mayor's proposed city budget.

Housing Doesn't 'Filter,' Neighborhoods Do
Housing advocates tend to agree that we need to supplement market-rate luxury development with subsidized affordable housing, but rarely do we ask the market to provide housing for people further down the income ladder. That's bad policy.

Charleston, SC Sees the Pros and Cons of 6,000 New Apartments
Traffic Congestion, Parking Shortages, New Shopping Opportunities, Housing for Millennials, Economic Development! Charleston, South Carolina residents' reaction to over 6,000 planned or in development apartment units runs the gamut.

Housing Advocates Push Affordability Agenda in Salt Lake City
With an estimated housing gap of 7,500 units and an apartment vacancy rate of 2 percent, Salt Lake City needs to do more to address an affordable housing shortage, advocates say.

Affordable Housing Measure Passes in L.A. by Wide Margin. Now What?
An affordable housing measure passed in Tuesday's election has developers saying they may scrap existing building projects, meanwhile the bill’s supporters argue that the new rules will help break the housing crunch plaguing the area.
Washington, D.C. Announces an Ambitious Affordable Housing Agenda
The Washington, D.C. Housing Preservation Strike Force released a final report last week.

San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living
Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.

Policy Ideas That Support Renters
Renters can't access the tax breaks afforded to home buyers, like the mortgage interest tax deduction, so a Terner Center for Housing Innovation paper looks at policies that could put renters on a more even footing with home buyers.
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