Voters say ‘yes’ to affordable housing

Our updated results show where cities, counties and states across the U.S. passed ballot measures that collectively unlocked billions of dollars in new funding to create more affordable housing and provided protections for renters.

By Danielle McLean • Nov. 16, 2022

The 10 most future-ready cities in North America: report

Cities must invest more in digital and physical infrastructure to address today’s challenges but face several barriers, including a lack of public trust, a new report finds.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 15, 2022

Election results: How housing, transit, environmental issues fared on state and local ballots

California’s millionaire tax for EV incentives was defeated, while several affordable housing and climate funding initiatives passed nationwide.

Nov. 10, 2022

October sees third-largest rent cut since 2010

Preliminary apartment demand numbers for the year look much weaker than expected, according to RealPage’s Jay Parsons.

By Mary Salmonsen • Nov. 9, 2022

Miami-Dade County allows accessory dwelling units

The county commission allowed some homeowners to turn garages, living quarters and backyard structures into rental units. It’s the latest in a nationwide push to address the affordable housing crisis via zoning revisions.

By Danielle McLean • Nov. 8, 2022

Rent-to-income ratios push toward 40%, some apartment owners say

Renters are squeezed more than ever, as the cost of living rises across the country.

By Leslie Shaver • Nov. 7, 2022

Zoning change momentum continues following votes in Cambridge, MA, and Gainesville, FL

Despite public pushback, Cambridge officials voted to eliminate parking requirements, and Gainesville voted to eliminate single-family zoning, making it easier for developers to build multifamily housing. 

By Danielle McLean • Nov. 1, 2022

Housing, transit, environmental issues on state and local ballots

Residents in 37 states will vote on 132 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 8, according to Ballotpedia. Read our coverage on measures addressing top smart city concerns.

By Michael Brady • Oct. 31, 2022

Can predictive analytics help prevent homelessness?

Better modeling could help cities target interventions that allow individuals to keep their homes and limit the strain on public services.

By Karen Kroll • Oct. 31, 2022

Social impact bonds for affordable housing gain popularity among cities

Communities are turning to social impact bonds to fund affordable housing. Some recent city experiences suggest their predictability can attract investors.

By Kalena Thomhave • Oct. 26, 2022

For equitable building electrification, philanthropy-backed fund puts communities in the driver’s seat

Who designs the energy transition? As cities work to reduce building emissions and spur clean alternatives, the creators of the Equitable Building Electrification Fund believe that decision-making power needs to shift.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 26, 2022

Renter protections are up for a vote in several US cities

As the affordable housing crisis worsens, voters in several cities and counties will cast ballots on rent control policies and whether to provide free legal services to tenants facing eviction.

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 26, 2022

Affordable housing, zero waste efforts could benefit from San Antonio deconstruction policy

One of the largest, fastest-growing U.S. cities is trying to use more of the materials it already has by requiring that some old buildings be deconstructed rather than demolished.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 25, 2022

Affordable housing spending is on the ballot in cities across the US

Voters in cities and counties in California, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Texas and other states will consider spending measures this November that could provide new funding for affordable housing and related services.

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 25, 2022

Boston missing out on millions for affordable housing due to stalled ‘mansion tax,’ report says

Boston has repeatedly advanced a luxury real estate transfer tax to counteract its affordable housing crisis, a tactic other U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, are also weighing. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 24, 2022

Gentrification can push out longtime residents. Are collective neighborhood investments the solution?

Neighborhood investment trusts are emerging as a possible antidote to the gentrification-induced displacement of low-income residents, but success to date has varied.

By Gaby Galvin • Oct. 24, 2022

7 major mixed-use projects underway across the country

These multibillion-dollar developments will provide their neighborhoods with new housing, retail, dining and entertainment options.

By Mary Salmonsen • Oct. 24, 2022

Austin, other US cities look to combat legacies of housing discrimination

Systemic discrimination cost Black homeowners in Austin, Texas, over $290 million, according to a recent report. Leaders of that city and others are pledging to address structural inequities.

By Gaby Galvin • Sept. 26, 2022

Southern states saw active apartment construction in urban areas

Downtown Atlanta has delivered over 21,500 new units over the last 10 years, according to StorageCafe.

By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 26, 2022

Austin launches homeless encampment management team, tool

The digital tool will track encampment needs and trends to prioritize people with the highest health and safety risks.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 26, 2022

NYC to give free high-speed internet to public housing residents

The Big Apple Connect program will provide free internet and cable services to more than 300,000 people who live in New York City Housing Authority developments by the end of 2023.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 23, 2022

NIMBYism has declined over the course of the pandemic

Sixty-two percent of visitors to coUrbanize websites named themselves as pro-development, compared with 49% in 2020.

By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 22, 2022

To curb homelessness, Denver commits $2M for basic income pilot

Households will receive up to $12,000 in direct cash payments over the course of the year. The Denver Basic Income Project is among a flurry of cash assistance programs being piloted or supported by U.S. cities.

By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 21, 2022

The top US cities for live-work-play development

Mixed-use multifamily completions per year have quadrupled since 2010. Here are the cities where this trend is hot.

By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 20, 2022

California could phase out gas heaters by 2030 to cut smog

The home and building appliances are “an underappreciated driver of unhealthy air quality in California cities,” non-profit advocates say in a report Tuesday, as state regulators consider only allowing zero-emissions alternatives.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 20, 2022