Bipartisan housing agenda links federal support to local building rules

The Build America Caucus proposes 60 policy measures to accelerate development, including “right-to-build zones” and faster federal multifamily lending.

By Julie Strupp • Oct. 12, 2026

HUD manufactured housing plan aims to spur production

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act ushers in significant changes to how the affordable housing type can be built and opens a path to a “repeatable multifamily construction” framework.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 9, 2026

Explore the 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

County, state financial leaders call for more federal housing support

“We know our communities, and we're ready to build. We just need a federal partner willing to build with us,” Coconino County, Arizona, Treasurer Sarah Benatar said.  

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 8, 2026

More diverse housing types could result from new laws in California

From cheaper ADUs to streamlined “missing middle” housing to high-rises in transit-rich cities, the state adopted a slew of housing reforms.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 7, 2026

It’s time to demand results from homelessness services

Outdated models and undertrained workers will not solve the problem.

By Lena Miller • Oct. 6, 2026

Plan now for 2027’s top smart city conferences and events

Technology, transportation, housing, climate, finance and more are on the agenda for local government leaders at these upcoming gatherings.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026

Effort to streamline housing environmental review standards, regulations kicks off at HUD, USDA

The agencies signed an MOU to advance deregulatory measures for rural housing outlined in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 5, 2026

Affordable housing ‘fast track’ plan targets low-production NYC neighborhoods

Twelve districts contributed just 1.1% of the city’s new affordable housing in the past five years, the city says. 

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 2, 2026

$467M affordable housing funding round gets LA City Council sign-off

The record-breaking amount, which comes from sales taxes on high-value homes, will be used to build and preserve affordable housing.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 1, 2026

NYC pied-à-terre tax rollout must start again, judge rules

The Staten Island judge voided the city’s 17,000 mailed notices to homeowners. The city is expected to challenge the decision, Politico reported.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 30, 2026

With its first office-to-housing project done, Chicago advances ‘next chapter’ for its downtown

The adaptive reuse project in the city's Loop has 117 mixed-income residential units. More conversions are in the pipeline.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 29, 2026

Pittsburgh eyes quicker permitting with virtual inspections and a ‘fast lane’ for low-risk projects

The first set of changes "will help applicants spend less time waiting and more time getting projects done," Mayor Corey O'Connor said.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 25, 2026

The US homeless population is aging. Cities must brace for new challenges.

Older adults are facing a “perfect storm of stressors” that could lead to more housing instability and homelessness, according to panelists at a Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies webinar.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 24, 2026

More high-rises could be coming to 7 California cities under housing density bill

The bill would prevent major cities from limiting residential building heights to under 150 feet in new transit hub districts. It's awaiting the governor's signature.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 22, 2026

Manufactured housing must be allowed in cities under new Texas law

Cities will maintain control over where the affordable housing type may be located within their jurisdictions.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 17, 2026

D.C. landlords agree to $9.3M settlement over RealPage rent-setting allegations

Mid-America Apartments and JBG Smith agreed to financial penalties and restrictions to resolve allegations they used the technology to inflate rents and share confidential housing data. 

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 16, 2026

Airbnb’s $250M housing accelerator program to start in Austin, Texas

The short-term rental company is committing the long-term investment toward multifamily housing development and pledged support for local pro-housing policies.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 15, 2026

To speed development, Prince William County, Virginia, is nixing a ‘waiting period’ for legal review

Residential and commercial developers can receive a conditional approval stamp for projects moving through pre-construction processes while legal reviews are still underway.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 14, 2026

After rent emergency declaration, San Francisco mayor proposes reforms

As an AI boom pushes median rents higher, Mayor Daniel Lurie is proposing $30 million in investments and reforms to curb rising evictions and “sudden rent spikes.”

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 11, 2026

2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Award Winners: Solving real community needs

Addressing energy costs, housing, transportation and community engagement, these initiatives exemplify the innovation that helps cities and counties improve residents’ lives.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 10, 2026

The Smart Cities Dive Awards

To highlight notable people and projects in U.S. city, county and regional government, Smart Cities Dive presents the Public Service Awards and the Community Project Awards.

By Rachel H. Pollack • Sept. 10, 2026

How one Florida county is using data to help vulnerable residents keep their homes

An early-warning system in Jacksonville, Florida, uses AI to protect generational housing from institutional investors. The initiative is a 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Award winner.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 10, 2026

Homeless services contracts to get a ‘reset’ in San Francisco

The city plans to reissue more than $500 million in annual grants and contracts, with an emphasis on outcomes.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 8, 2026

Fair housing construction accessibility complaints now have a deadline, HUD says

Accessibility claims related to multifamily building design and construction must be filed within one year of the initial certificate of occupancy, the new guidance says.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 4, 2026

For affordable housing fund, Cleveland embraces private partnerships

The city launched a fund to build up to 3,000 affordable housing units using leftover American Rescue Plan Act money.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 2, 2026