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

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 Ryan Kushner • Jan. 16, 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

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 Ryan Kushner • Jan. 15, 2026

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

A year after LA fires, thousands of homes remain unbuilt. State funds aim to curb displacement.

California will inject another $107.3 million into communities impacted by last year’s wildfires to fund 673 new affordable rental homes.

By Ryan Kushner • Jan. 13, 2026

Investors, analysts react to Trump’s single-family home buying ban

The president’s announcement that he would seek to bar institutional investors from acquiring single-family homes raises big questions for the housing industry.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 12, 2026

Senate ‘housing emergency’ bill seeks to spur construction of 4 million US homes

New legislation asks the federal government to curtail local housing regulations and use the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of construction materials.

By Ryan Kushner • Jan. 9, 2026

As federal safety nets disappear, states and cities need rent control

With America’s rent crisis deepening, state and local leaders should use rent control to protect residents, preserve communities and stabilize the economy.

By Tram Hoang • Jan. 9, 2026

One week in, Mamdani begins reshaping NYC housing

Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to improve New York City’s beleaguered housing supply. His first week in office saw a number of executive orders aimed at accelerating housing and cutting costs.

By Ryan Kushner • Jan. 8, 2026

8 trends that will shape cities in 2026

As federal funding becomes less predictable, cities face major shifts in transportation, housing and climate resilience in the new year.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 8, 2026

Virginia Beach looks to kick-start affordable housing with new grant program

More than 370 affordable rental units are in the pipeline following rezoning efforts and the launch of an Attainable Workforce Housing Performance Grant, the city said.

By Ryan Kushner • Jan. 6, 2026

Manhattan’s housing crisis has gotten worse, report finds

The New York City borough hit a vacancy rate of just over 2%. City officials hope new policies, projects and suggestions from residents could help turn things around.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 23, 2025

Addressing housing, climate change and AI in an unpredictable year

Community leaders described their efforts to tackle those and other key issues at the annual National League of Cities' City Summit in November.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 22, 2025

HUD probes Boston over housing discrimination

The agency claims the city is discriminating against White residents via its equity and inclusion efforts in its housing strategy. The mayor's office called the probe an "unhinged attack” from Washington.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 19, 2025

How do cities accelerate housing? Partnerships, land buying and zoning, experts say

Cities must be intentional about housing, a National League of Cities panel said.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 18, 2025

House introduces bipartisan housing legislation

Lawmakers said they will work in 2026 to advance the Housing for the 21st Century Act, which builds on a recent Senate bill and similarly aims to facilitate new development.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 18, 2025

San Francisco’s new zoning opens the door for more housing — but it might bring less than expected

The city needs a plan for 82,000 additional housing units by 2031 to meet state mandates. A study predicted the new zoning will lead to only 14,600.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 17, 2025

Bellevue, Washington, wants faster permitting. Can AI help?

As the housing crisis rages on, cities are testing artificial intelligence to improve permitting processes.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 16, 2025

Bipartisan housing package left out of new defense bill

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle nonetheless indicated support for the ROAD to Housing Act, which aims to boost supply by simplifying regulations.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 11, 2025

How AI is impacting homebuying

A U.S. Government Accountability Office report shows the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to artificial intelligence’s growing influence in how people purchase homes.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 9, 2025

Massachusetts lost its ‘middle’ housing. This study has 6 tips for getting it back.

After an in-depth look at the dearth of middle housing types in the state, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies published recommendations for revitalizing the affordable housing options.

By Ryan Kushner • Dec. 8, 2025

Greystar to pay FTC, Colorado $24M to settle rental fee suit

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson has directed the agency to develop a rule to address unfair or deceptive fees in rental housing.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 4, 2025

150 cities tested guaranteed income. Here’s what worked — and what didn’t.

Direct cash payments effectively addressed housing, food and mental health needs, but administrators are grappling with questions about employment outcomes and program sustainability.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 4, 2025

HUD withdraws homelessness grant opportunity ahead of court hearing

The department said it still plans to change the Continuum of Care program, but future changes will be “well in advance” of the next funding deadline.

By Ryan Kushner • Updated Dec. 15, 2025

Shifting water infrastructure decisions to local governments could accelerate housing, advocates say

A new WOTUS definition proposed by the EPA would give builders relief from federal permitting delays, but environmental groups warn it could leave cities more exposed to flood and water quality risks.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 1, 2025