Grocer, housing developer partner on essential services for older residents, families in affordable housing

Grocery delivery, prescription and vaccination resources will be available to more than 133,000 residents across 520 properties in the U.S. through an Albertsons and WinnCompanies partnership.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 16, 2022

To make a dent in its affordable housing crisis, Utah tries zoning reform, new funding

Experts say the measures — including using millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds and implementing zoning reforms that make it easier to build near transit — will not alone solve the state’s housing crisis.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 14, 2022

Can a billionaire’s planned city be equitable?

Existing planned communities impart lessons about maintaining economic and racial diversity, but doubts remain about whether a city planned by private interests like Telosa can truly achieve equity.

By Adina Solomon • Sept. 13, 2022

San Diego adds social worker to assist homeless public library patrons

The two-year pilot will provide support for unhoused individuals experiencing substance use or mental health issues instead of relying on untrained library staff to do so. 

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 12, 2022

Advanced mobility, mass timber projects chosen in $1B federal regional challenge

The American Rescue Plan’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge will support joint efforts to use mass timber to accelerate affordable housing, spur American manufacturing for advanced mobility, and much more.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 9, 2022

How New York City can make basement apartments safer: reports

A year after rainfall and subsequent flooding from Hurricane Ida led to 11 deaths of basement residents, a nonprofit and the city comptroller called for safety measures, protections and a pathway to legalize the dwellings.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 1, 2022

Vacant strip malls could become housing under newly passed California bills

Millions of homes could be developed on commercial-zoned and retail-zoned properties if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the legislation.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 30, 2022

Resilient Land Use Cohort to explore climate adaptation strategies

Urban Land Institute networks and community representatives in five regions will investigate how to best implement resilience hubs, conduct land swaps for homes in flood zones and scale green infrastructure, among other ideas.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 25, 2022

Cities slow to distribute federal homelessness relief funds, HUD OIG finds

City and state staffing shortages and challenges coordinating other funding sources have hampered the fast impact of $4 billion from the CARES Act. It takes time for cities to build capacity, experts say.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 25, 2022

How cities can prepare for the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate opportunities

With billions of dollars for energy efficiency upgrades, urban park enhancements and more signed into law this week, experts share tips on how cities can start preparing for funding opportunities now.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 19, 2022

7 ways cities and states can protect renters from eviction and housing discrimination

Carl Gershenson of The Eviction Lab at Princeton University shares how local leaders could assist low-income renters who are facing eviction or denied housing, even in the absence of new federal funds.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 12, 2022

California to conduct unprecedented review of San Francisco’s housing approval processes

While long and complex approval processes that up the cost of housing are common in the U.S., building in San Francisco is especially arduous, the California Department of Housing and Community Development stated.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 11, 2022

New York public housing is poised for electric heating and cooling upgrades from a California startup

Vince Romanin, the CEO of Gradient, discusses the market for heat pumps and a New York City Housing Authority contract to rethink HVAC for residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 10, 2022

New York City rolling out ‘largest curbside composting program in the nation’ with Queens expansion

After years of budget cuts and political shifts, the Department of Sanitation says this latest organics recycling iteration will be its most cost-effective and efficient approach yet. Drop-off bins are also being added in other boroughs.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 9, 2022

Building performance standards momentum slowly grows in the wake of White House efforts

A Maryland county’s policy represents one of the only major updates so far, but more localities have said they’ll pursue standards. Funds in the Inflation Reduction Act could provide new incentives to decarbonize buildings.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 8, 2022

Yardi: Office-to-multifamily conversions pose cost, logistical challenges

Despite predictions earlier in the pandemic, these conversions have proven to be a “slow, niche trend” that largely delivers high-end housing.

By Mary Salmonsen • Aug. 8, 2022

To meet demand, US needs 4.3M more apartments by 2035

The nation lost 4.7 million affordable units between 2015 and 2020, and now faces a 600,000-unit deficit, according to a new study.

By Mary Salmonsen • Aug. 4, 2022

Grim picture of worsening US housing crisis presented in Senate hearing

While Republican lawmakers blamed the crisis on government regulations, experts and Democrats called for expanded rental protections and measures to expand the nation’s housing stock.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 4, 2022

$2.8B for homeless services available from HUD

Rapid re-housing and services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as programs that address youth homelessness, are explicit targets of this year's funding.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 3, 2022

Incentive programs have lured thousands of remote workers from major metro areas to small cities

Nearly four years have passed since Tulsa Remote began promising $10,000 to workers who’d relocate to the Oklahoma city for at least one year. Here’s where that program and similar efforts stand today.

By Austyn Gaffney • Aug. 1, 2022

Electric heat pumps will be the cheapest clean option to heat most US homes by 2030: ACEEE

To advance the transition to carbon-free heating, a report calls for additional research and development, incentives and grants to support installation, minimum efficiency standards for heating equipment, and other policies.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2022

The struggle to find a public toilet

U.S. cities don't have enough public toilets. Coupled with a homelessness crisis, the shortage brings health and safety concerns. Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., are among the cities working toward equitable hygiene.

By Adina Solomon • July 27, 2022

Rent hits new highs, but rent growth slows

Although the rate of rent growth is decelerating, the national average asking rent rose to $1,706 in June, according to Yardi Matrix. Florida cities Orlando, Miami and Tampa experienced year-over-year rent growth of over 20%.

By Mary Salmonsen • July 19, 2022

After leaving low-income housing tax credit program, many properties see modest rent increases

Generally, former low-Income housing tax credit apartment communities remain affordable to those making 60% of AMI, according to Freddie Mac.

By Leslie Shaver • July 14, 2022

San Francisco ranked the world's most expensive city for construction

The city overtakes Tokyo as inflation and supply chain snarls affect markets across the globe.

By Matthew Thibault • July 8, 2022