Housing

  • Paier College, Bridgeport, Connecticutt
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    3 state-level parking reform efforts to watch

    To encourage housing development, more states are ending parking spot minimums.

    By • Feb. 23, 2026
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    Pritzker proposes statewide zoning standards to boost housing in Illinois

    Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker targeted local housing regulations in his State of the State this week, unveiling a path for more “missing middle” development.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026
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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
  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development
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    HUD rule would bar families with mixed immigration status from federally funded housing

    The proposed policy changes would result in the eviction of tens of thousands of tenants from agency-supported housing, nonprofit groups say.

    By Julie Strupp • Feb. 20, 2026
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    Oregon mandates heat pumps in new housing

    The update to the state’s residential energy code could save residents of housing built after the change an average of $125 a month in energy costs, an analysis found.

    By • Feb. 19, 2026
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    Los Angeles’ encampment cleanup program may displace more people than it helps, study finds

    As efforts to clear encampments continue, unhoused individuals in LA are being forced to move around, according to a UCLA study.

    By • Feb. 10, 2026
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    What needs to happen for urban apartment development to return?

    Parking requirements, permit fees and zoning reform are among the solutions that would incentivize higher-density development, housing advocates say.

    By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 10, 2026
  • A technician replaces a light bulb outside a senior's home.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Federal energy-assistance programs survive budget gauntlet

    President Trump signed budget bills to maintain funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program on Feb. 3, 2026.

    By Brian Martucci • Feb. 6, 2026
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    With a boost from Meta, Sacramento eyes more affordable student housing

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg pledged $50 million for a downtown project that will facilitate affordable housing, STEM facilities and an AI center.

    By • Feb. 6, 2026
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    Philadelphia’s $2B bet on affordable housing

    The city’s HOME initiative aims to build and preserve 30,000 housing units.

    By • Feb. 5, 2026
  • Mercy Othello Plaza Apartments TOD March 22, 2019.
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    Courtesy of Sound Transit
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    Transit-oriented development bill introduced in Congress

    The bipartisan Build HUBS Act would incentivize construction of more housing near transit lines nationwide.

    By Julie Strupp • Feb. 4, 2026
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands in front of a podium, speaking with a hand raised.
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    HHS launches $100M program to address homelessness, substance abuse in 8 localities

    HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the pilot program will be open to faith-based organizations.

    By • Feb. 4, 2026
  • Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
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    The image by Utah Reps is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Utah is planning to construct a vast homeless shelter. Some critics are calling it a ‘detention camp.’

    Two members of Congress joined the National Homelessness Law Center in calling for a rejection of federal funding for the 1,300-bed facility in Salt Lake City.

    By • Feb. 2, 2026
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    The Smart Cities outlook for 2026: Pressure points for city leaders

    As cities navigate housing reform, transportation needs, climate resilience, AI and changes in federal funding, 2026 will be a consequential year for how they govern, budget and protect their autonomy.

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
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    Permission granted by Neighborhood Ventures
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    Where one investor sees distressed apartment opportunities

    Neighborhood Ventures is launching a second opportunistic $25 million fund to acquire troubled multifamily properties.

    By Leslie Shaver • Jan. 30, 2026
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    How cities are using AI in 2026

    “We’re all in learning mode … and looking at it with a wary eye,” one mayor said about AI’s potential for municipal operations. Read more in this 2026 outlook.

    By Vicky Uhland and Robyn Lawrence • Updated Feb. 2, 2026
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    HUD orders citizenship verification for 200,000 tenants

    Public housing agencies must check and report on the eligibility of tenants flagged in the new EIV-SAVE Tenant Match Report.

    By Julie Strupp • Jan. 27, 2026
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    Colorado bills take ‘big swing’ at state’s housing shortage

    As the state pushes to ramp up development, a lawsuit from several municipalities accuses it of overstepping its authority.

    By • Jan. 23, 2026
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    New Jersey towns hit another wall in fight against state’s affordable housing mandate

    A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit a coalition of 27 localities filed over New Jersey’s affordable housing law. The towns vow to keep fighting.

    By • Jan. 22, 2026
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks into a microphone at a hearing.
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    HUD launches fair housing investigation into Minneapolis

    The city said the probe “appears to be about politics, not affordable housing.”

    By Julie Strupp • Jan. 21, 2026
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    Trump issues order to curb single-family home sales to large investors

    The executive order directs the attorney general to review housing acquisitions by large institutional investors for “anti-competitive practices.”

    By • Jan. 21, 2026
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    Cities explore tossing rental ‘junk fees’ to ease affordability crisis

    Colorado has banned “hidden” fees. New York City and San Diego may follow suit.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
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    iStock.com / artisteer

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    Sponsored by Avolve

    Why local governments need real-time plan review performance insights

    Learn how local governments are moving from after-the-fact reports to live, executive-ready insight.

    By Natasha Geldard • Jan. 20, 2026
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    With zoning and regulatory changes, cities aim to spur housing growth

    The goals include increased housing density and quicker and cheaper construction. Read how Dallas’ approach stacks up against what experts see coming this year.

    By • Jan. 16, 2026
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    Chicago is filling vacant city lots with middle-scale housing

    The city is selling its empty lots to developers for $1 and offering up to $150,000 in funding to boost medium-density housing development.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • Closeup of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
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    New York AG wants RealPage’s lawsuit tossed

    The real estate software company asked for a preliminary injunction in November in an attempt to halt the state’s recent ban on rent-pricing algorithms.

    By Julie Strupp • Jan. 14, 2026