Housing

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    Denver to invest $570M in downtown revitalization after voters pass bond measure

    The city plans to use newly authorized bond financing to invest in housing, local entrepreneurs, new businesses and public spaces.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
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    National Housing Crisis Task Force unveils agenda for next president, Congress

    The federal government must “fundamentally restructure” its organization to address the housing crisis, according to recommendations from 28 public, civic and corporate leaders. 

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

    From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
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    Skyhobo via Getty Images
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    Boston’s affordable housing preservation efforts are seeing results

    Other cities and states nationwide should learn from the success of a program that helps “mission-driven” developers purchase rental properties, one community advocate said.

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
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    Retrieved from Governor Gavin Newsom.
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    California pours $827M into local homelessness response with increased accountability measures

    The state is collecting monthly data on how communities spend the money and whether investments make a measurable difference.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • A shift to remote work has softened the demand for office space, accelerating the need for commercial-to-residential conversions.
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    Office-to-residential conversions are tough. Could dorm-style co-living be the answer?

    Microapartments with shared bathrooms and kitchens could suit service workers, retirees and young professionals and cost 25% to 35% less than converting offices to traditional apartments, Pew and Gensler researchers said.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
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    adamkaz / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    The multifamily housing-related ballot measures that passed, and failed, on election day

    Eight out of 13 major housing-related measures were approved in jurisdictions nationwide during this week’s election.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Updated Nov. 7, 2024
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    Philadelphia bans rent-setting software, joining San Francisco

    The software lets residential landlords indirectly coordinate, raising rents, lowering occupancy rates and increasing evictions, lawmakers say. San Francisco’s ban is in effect, while Philadelphia’s awaits the mayor’s signature.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Updated Oct. 30, 2024
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    Opinion

    Eviction data is lacking. Here’s how local governments can help.

    Local leaders need to understand the magnitude of the housing crisis in their area to act on it, a Princeton Eviction Lab representative says.

    By Camila Vallejo • Oct. 14, 2024
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    Why California’s governor shot down a bill aimed at ramping up adaptive reuse projects

    Converting commercial buildings to residential or other uses may have become even more complicated under the bill, local officials said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 9, 2024
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    Retrieved from Pixabay.
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    EPA requires lead pipes to be replaced nationwide within 10 years

    The landmark rule imposes the strictest limits on lead in drinking water since federal standards were set 30 years ago.

    By Julie Strupp • Oct. 8, 2024
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    California allocates $131M to local homelessness response efforts

    The state will also reimburse local governments for cleaning up encampments on state land, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
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    New California laws tighten renter protections

    Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed multiple bills into law. A major remaining question is whether voters will approve an upcoming ballot measure to expand local governments’ authority to enact rent control.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Oct. 3, 2024
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    2025’s top smart city conferences

    Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events already announced for next year.

    By , • Oct. 1, 2024
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    As Los Angeles struggles with RV encampments, a new California law aims to help

    The law allows the city to lease state transportation department property for $1 a month to securely store recreational vehicles formerly inhabited by people experiencing homelessness.

    By • Oct. 1, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    HUD extreme heat playbook focuses on increasing resilience in housing

    The guidance identifies potential federal funding sources and example projects that it says could work elsewhere across the country.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
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    Research points to the downsides of rent control

    A review of over 100 studies shows the various negative impacts of policies that regulate rent, including that they can drive up prices in uncontrolled units nearby.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 23, 2024
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    Retrieved from Governor Gavin Newsom.
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    California sues city for banning new homeless shelters

    Norwalk, California’s ban on shelters and other housing violates several state laws, according to California, which first threatened legal action against the city in September.

    By • Updated Nov. 7, 2024
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    Google Maps

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    Apartment complex owners sue New Jersey town over new fees

    Among other requirements, landlords in Edison must pay $100 per unit per year under a new housing ordinance.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 16, 2024
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    Minnesota bans pot smoking, vaping in multifamily properties

    The move is a first of its kind among states, although 85 California municipalities have banned smoking in multifamily units, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 13, 2024
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    Low-income families face high energy burden, prompting calls for more government action

    One in four low-income U.S. households spends more than 15% of their income on energy bills, finds an analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

    By • Sept. 13, 2024
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    Q&A

    Cincinnati mayor says zoning overhaul reflects a ‘generational change in how people think about cities’

    Years of community engagement revealed Cincinnatians don’t support getting rid of single-family zoning altogether — but they were open to relaxing it in some areas, Mayor Aftab Pureval said.

    By • Sept. 11, 2024
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    James Andrews via Getty Images
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    3 commercial-to-residential conversions receive city government support in Washington, D.C.

    Five businesses are also getting grants to open or expand into downtown spaces that have been vacant for at least six months, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced.

    By • Sept. 10, 2024
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    Multifamily permitting drops in urban areas

    Higher interest rates and supply chain concerns have taken a toll on new apartment construction, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 9, 2024
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    Atlanta’s homelessness response could get a $60M infusion

    A bond and the city’s affordable housing trust fund would unleash millions of dollars under a proposal by Atlanta’s mayor and city council. Up to 700 affordable housing units could be built with the funds.

    By • Sept. 6, 2024
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    Homelessness response team heads to streets in Birmingham, Alabama

    As it does in some California and Texas cities, the organization Urban Alchemy will respond to certain nonemergency calls in Birmingham instead of the police.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024