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Housing referrals from United Way helpline hit all-time high: ‘a sounding alarm for communities’
The 211 network saw “a sharp increase in people struggling — particularly around finding and keeping stable housing,” a United Way representative said.
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Automated traffic safety cameras: life-saving or revenue-raising?
Automated technologies have reduced speeding and red-light violations in some cities. The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to limit their use.
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Can raising city wages drive local growth? Detroit is about to find out.
Local leaders across the U.S. are betting that livable wages for city employees can strengthen consumer stability and community investment. But the policy could force tough choices on taxes and spending, an expert says.
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FTC seeks public input on junk fee rule for rental housing
The agency is continuing to crack down on unfair or deceptive advertising in the rental housing industry.
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US traffic deaths in 2025 lowest since 2019
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates have shown continued declines in roadway fatalities since 2022.
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How cities can encourage faster, cheaper rooftop solar
Permitting delays, inconsistent inspections and local utility rules add thousands to rooftop solar costs, pushing installers to avoid certain jurisdictions. Cities can fix that, a new report says.
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Federal build-to-rent limits could reduce housing supply, researchers warn
Provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act forcing the sale of BTR homes could mean 72,000 fewer houses are built each year, a recent Urban Institute study found.
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Cities, states, environmental groups sue EPA over repeal of mercury and air toxics standards
Public health and environmental groups say the rollback puts communities at risk. The EPA says it will cut transportation and energy costs.
Updated April 1, 2026 -
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Generative AI is the future of traffic engineering, Miovision says
Its AI agent for transit authorities and traffic engineers provides both efficiency and safety benefits, the company says.
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Opinion3 things cities can do to address the water crisis
Water infrastructure in the U.S. needs to be updated, and city leaders have a critical role to play.
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US DOT opens $1B in funding for safe streets and roads
Eligible projects can include those for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, motorists and commercial vehicle operators.
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AI in local government? Detroit residents are ‘not widely convinced’ it belongs.
Support for artificial intelligence in city operations is largely contingent on what localities are using it for, a University of Michigan study found.
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OpinionMega-events are coming. Cities are overlooking their most affordable transit fix.
As the U.S. prepares for the 2026 World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Olympics, transportation systems will be pushed to their limits. Intercity buses offer scalable capacity at minimal public cost.
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Courtesy of Sound Transit
Floating light rail bridge — the world’s first — opens in Seattle area
Crowds showed up on opening day to ride the Crosslake Connection expansion to Sound Transit's Link 2 Line, expected to carry 50,000 daily riders.
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Office-to-housing conversions grew 28% last year
New York City led other cities in converted residential units by a wide margin, followed by Washington, D.C., and Chicago, according to RentCafe.
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Highsmith, Carol M. (2011). "Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, headquarters of HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
HUD investigates Washington state housing program
The agency claims the Covenant Homeownership Program, which aims to remedy historic housing discrimination, may be racially discriminatory toward White people and other groups.
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New York City program aims to fast-track affordable housing on city-owned land
The Neighborhood Builders Fast Track program will cut pre-development timelines for some projects nearly in half, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.
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Bus industry group launches scholarship for human trafficking survivors
Traffickers often use intercity buses to transport victims, according to the American Bus Association.
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Alamy
3 communities find success promoting composting
Stakeholders in three states discussed how local governments can work with composters to maximize diversion in a webinar the Institute for Local Self-Reliance hosted Wednesday.
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Extreme heat is here. Here’s how 2 cities plan to deal with it.
From data-driven targeting to cross-agency coordination, Miami-Dade County and Philadelphia are mitigating heat risk with concrete interventions.
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5 strategies to help transit ballot measures succeed
Early planning and collaboration with professionals and legislators are key to gaining support for locally funded transit improvements, experts say.
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Indiana city bans groups from sending it homeless individuals from other jurisdictions
Fort Wayne, Indiana, is imposing penalties of up to $2,500 for organizations that relocate unhoused individuals to the city without approval.
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Puget Sound Energy is turning to EVs for backup power and grid support
The utility is partnering with Ford and Kia to test whether electric vehicles can keep homes running and support grid resilience during outages.
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Trump housing order could mean new barriers to federal funding for cities
Local governments may need to ease zoning and environmental rules to stay eligible for federal support, an attorney says.
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Detroit to dedicate 100% of city-owned commercial property sales proceeds to affordable housing fund
The measure is expected to generate $4 million annually for affordable housing development and preservation.
