Housing: Page 2
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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 -
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 -
Explore the Trendline➔
jamesteohart via Getty ImagesTrendlineTop 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 -
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 -
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 -
Retrieved from Pixabay.
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 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 8, 2024 -
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 -
2025’s top smart city conferences
Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events in 2025.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated Jan. 31, 2025 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 1, 2024 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 27, 2024 -
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 -
Retrieved from Governor Gavin Newsom.
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Updated Nov. 7, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 13, 2024 -
Q&A
Cincinnati mayor says zoning overhaul reflects ‘generational change’ in how people think of 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 Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 11, 2024 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 10, 2024 -
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 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 6, 2024 -
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 Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 5, 2024 -
‘Housing production strategy’ passes in Portland, Oregon
In its first such plan, the city outlined dozens of ways to meet housing needs in coming years as rents and home prices outpace income.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 3, 2024 -
California tackles housing shortage, homelessness with 2 new laws
“The homelessness crisis demands immediate and innovative action, not the status quo,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has recently cracked down on encampments of people experiencing homelessness.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 30, 2024 -
Cities assert tenants’ right to cooling in a warming world
Grappling with fatal heat waves, local governments are passing laws that make landlords provide working air conditioning. Financial and other challenges remain, however.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 27, 2024 -
DOJ sues software firm RealPage over algorithm that allegedly drives up rents
The attorneys general of several states joined the suit, which accuses the company of an “unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords.”
By Leslie Shaver • Aug. 26, 2024 -
Q&A
Will New York City make landlords provide air conditioning? Its climate chief is optimistic.
Coordinating any such mandate with the city's building decarbonization law requirements could reduce the burden it might create for building owners, Rohit Aggarwala explained.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 26, 2024