California governor proposes $500M to address homelessness — with new strings

Localities seeking Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention funding would have to demonstrate efforts to address homeless encampments in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised state budget proposal.

By Ryan Kushner • May 15, 2026

3 cities making strides in housing affordability

Ivory Innovations recognized a housing finance program in Boston and housing policies in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and New Rochelle, New York, for their ingenuity.

By Ryan Kushner • May 13, 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

HUD trims environmental reviews for multifamily projects

Streamlined standards could help ease affordability pressures nationwide, federal officials and housing industry leaders say.

By Julie Strupp • May 12, 2026

Illinois cities push back on state proposal to bypass local zoning

After Gov. JB Pritzker proposed sweeping statewide housing measures, municipal groups say they’re expanding housing options on their own terms.

By Ryan Kushner • May 11, 2026

HUD continues shift away from ‘housing first,’ harm reduction in homelessness funding

Transitional housing, childcare, job training and addiction treatment are priorities for its Continuum of Care funding opportunity to be published June 1.

By Ryan Kushner • May 7, 2026

Affordable housing development is boosting Oklahoma’s economy: report

Every dollar in tax credit equity across 45 multifamily housing projects is yielding higher economic returns in the state, an Urban Institute study found.

By Ryan Kushner • May 4, 2026

Housing energy efficiency requirements rescinded by HUD, USDA

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code added $20,000 to the cost of new home construction, according to Trump administration estimates.

By Ryan Kushner • April 29, 2026

New York governor floats tax on high-end second homes in NYC

New York is one of several states exploring surcharges on second homes. The proposal could generate $500 million in annual revenue in New York City, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

By Ryan Kushner • April 28, 2026

Indiana to enforce statewide encampment ban aimed at homeless population

The law aims to supersede local government policies that are not in compliance with the state’s anti-camping stance.

By Ryan Kushner • April 24, 2026

$4B affordable housing initiative launches in New York City

The four-year program invests pension funds into affordable housing efforts, including office-to-housing conversions.

By Ryan Kushner • April 21, 2026

Addressing the housing crisis requires “coordinated action at scale:” affordable housing CEO

Streamlined processes and deeper public-private coordination can spur development in the communities that need affordable housing most, says the new leader of a California housing nonprofit.

By Leslie Shaver • April 20, 2026

These 2 cities enacted upzoning policies to boost housing development. It’s working, study says.

New York and Philadelphia generated thousands of housing units and permits in upzoned areas since enacting reforms, but such efforts are “insufficient” on their own, an Urban Institute study found.

By Ryan Kushner • April 17, 2026

Kentucky cuts ‘red tape’ on affordable housing from faith-based organizations

The bill allowing religious developers to bypass some permitting rules received pushback from an environmental group.

By Ryan Kushner • April 16, 2026

Trump targets ‘bureaucrat tax’ to build more homes

Cutting restrictive zoning and land-use regulations could help spur 13.2 million new homes, according to a White House analysis.

By Ryan Kushner • April 15, 2026

Local government staffing shortages threaten housing development, experts say

Nearly 38% of local government employees are expected to retire within the next five years, one study found.

By Ryan Kushner • April 14, 2026

Most mayors say market-rate housing development can boost housing affordability

Up to 80% of U.S. mayors say their city needs to develop more multifamily housing, a Boston University survey found. Support for zoning and permitting reform was more muted, however.

By Ryan Kushner • April 10, 2026

Court narrows New Jersey’s case against RealPage in rent-setting suit

A federal judge partially dismissed claims against the rental software provider and several major landlords in a suit that alleges collusion to raise rent prices.

By Julie Strupp • April 9, 2026

Affordable housing standard evolves from sustainability to resilience

Updated Enterprise Green Communities Criteria focus on extreme heat, wildfire, flooding and power outages, treating climate risk as a core housing responsibility.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated April 10, 2026

Single-staircase reform proposed in California

Reducing the number of staircases smaller multifamily buildings require could unlock more housing, advocates say, but a state fire marshal report urges caution.

By Ryan Kushner • April 8, 2026

Trump budget proposal once again targets affordable housing, homeless assistance

Elimination of the HOME Investment Partnerships and Community Development Block Grant programs would be part of the 13% cut in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s discretionary budget.

By Ryan Kushner • April 7, 2026

Trump administration effort to rewrite federal housing grant criteria hits setbacks

A judge found the administration illegally imposed a criteria change for federal funds, and an appeals court upheld an order blocking Trump from cutting permanent supportive housing grants.

By Ryan Kushner • April 6, 2026

Housing referrals from United Way helpline hit all-time high: ‘a sounding alarm for communities’

The 211 network saw “a sharp increase in people struggling — particularly around finding and keeping stable housing,” a United Way representative said.

By Ryan Kushner • April 3, 2026

FTC seeks public input on junk fee rule for rental housing

The agency is continuing to crack down on unfair or deceptive advertising in the rental housing industry.

By Julie Strupp • April 3, 2026

Federal build-to-rent limits could reduce housing supply, researchers warn

Provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act forcing the sale of BTR homes could mean 72,000 fewer houses are built each year, a recent Urban Institute study found.

By Julie Strupp • April 2, 2026

Office-to-housing conversions grew 28% last year

New York City led other cities in converted residential units by a wide margin, followed by Washington, D.C., and Chicago, according to RentCafe.

By Ryan Kushner • March 30, 2026