Bank failures could slow new apartment construction

Last year’s interest rate hikes have made it more challenging to get construction loans, which could slow multifamily construction starts by 60%, one real estate executive said.

By Leslie Shaver • May 9, 2023

Advocates push for housing owned by communities, rather than by investors

It’s still unclear what broad-scale programs would look like, but there is some evidence that decommodifying housing can work.

By Gaby Galvin • May 4, 2023

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 in 2024.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

California spent $1.3B in cap-and-trade funds on climate, equity projects in 2022

The California Climate Investments funding addressed affordable housing, transportation, energy costs, extreme heat, fire, access to clean drinking water and more, a California Air Resources Board official said.

By Kalena Thomhave • May 2, 2023

Affordable, all-electric and energy-efficient housing gets $15M boost from NYC initiative

The initiative “will demonstrate to the affordable housing market a highly replicable new construction solution,” said Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 2, 2023

Women, people of color, renters underrepresented on land-use boards: report

Homeownership and other requirements could create barriers to participation that “function as inexplicit racial filters,” an Urban Institute report found.

By Gaby Galvin • April 28, 2023

Los Angeles’ Fashion District rezoning plan to include affordable housing

A key City Council committee agreed this week to add provisions for affordable housing and preserve manufacturing ahead of next month’s vote.

By Lara Ewen • April 27, 2023

Arizona GOP bill allowing hotels to say no to housing vouchers vetoed by governor

Hotels and motels in Arizona have never been required to accept a voucher to house someone, and no proposal to do so is under consideration, Gov. Katie Hobbs, D, said in a statement.

By Jenna Walters • April 24, 2023

Elon Musk’s company town plans worry some locals, urban planners

The plans for Snailbrook, near Boring Co. and future SpaceX manufacturing facilities in central Texas, raise questions about local governance, environmental impacts and more.

By Adina Solomon • April 24, 2023

ARPA funds used to fill city budget gaps, Brookings analysis finds

Spending American Rescue Plan Act funds on “revenue replacement” allowed localities to free up money for long-term priorities, such as economic development, a Brookings Metro researcher said.

By Kalena Thomhave • April 21, 2023

How an arts program supported Seattle public housing residents during redevelopment project

Public housing units nationwide need repairs and renovations. This arts program offers one way to ease the burden on residents during redevelopment, according to a Seattle Housing Authority report.

By Michael Brady • April 17, 2023

In fast-growing cities, land-use reform could decrease climate pollution, provide housing: report

As cities nationwide grapple with housing and climate crises, some researchers are examining how land-use decisions may help address these challenges.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 14, 2023

To prevent housing displacement, Austin, Texas, wants to pay neighbors to help neighbors

The program aims to better connect lower-income residents to housing assistance, as Austin rents and home values soar. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 6, 2023

Economic uncertainty, financing issues causing construction delays

Material prices are growing at a much slower pace than a year ago, according to a new National Multifamily Housing Council quarterly survey, and the labor market is showing signs of improvement.

By Mary Salmonsen • April 5, 2023

Evictions rose in cities after a national moratorium ended in 2021

There are many policies cities can use to protect renters from losing their homes aside from eviction bans, housing experts say.

By Karen Kroll • April 4, 2023

Less-restrictive zoning can increase supply of market-rate housing, new research shows

But other strategies may be needed to boost affordable housing, according to a first-of-its-kind Urban Institute study.

By Michael Brady • April 4, 2023

NYC launches online portal for city services, benefits

Mayor Eric Adams said the online portal, dubbed MyCity, would make it easier for residents to apply for benefits by reducing bureaucracy and red tape.

By Michael Brady • March 31, 2023

Zoning changes can help cities achieve sustainability, equity, resilience and other goals: report

Though zoning reform can be “politically challenging and time-consuming,” a new report from Urban Land Institute and Smart Growth America gives examples from more than a dozen U.S. cities and tips for achieving success.

By Danielle McLean • March 24, 2023

How one real estate developer would fix the affordable housing crisis

By tweaking tax credit policy, legislators can help stimulate more apartment development, says the CEO of real estate development firm Alliant Strategic Development.

By Leslie Shaver • March 23, 2023

Tackling Salt Lake City’s affordable housing crisis with empathy and accountability

Facing a legacy of redlining and plenty of NIMBYism, Tony Milner brings extensive nonprofit — and personal — experience into his leadership of the city's Department of Housing Stability.

By Danielle McLean • March 23, 2023

A middle-income housing tax credit for developers gets multifamily housing association backing

National Multifamily Housing Council President Sharon Wilson Géno outlines the organization’s legislative priorities and why it considers rent control "a failed policy."

By Mary Salmonsen • March 21, 2023

Cities see hyperlocal ‘activity centers’ as key to sustainable growth, less car dependency

Most metropolitan area residents live within three miles of an activity center, according to Brookings Institution research. Officials are planning around such centers to help residents meet their everyday needs while driving less.

By Gaby Galvin • March 21, 2023

Mixed-use project breaks ground in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District

The Wynwood Plaza will feature a landscaped pedestrian thoroughfare by the designers of New York City’s High Line.

By Mary Salmonsen • March 17, 2023

Multifamily housing oversupply looms but will be short-lived, real estate firm says

Even with a surplus of multifamily development over the short term, an additional 2.3 million new units will be needed nationwide over the next 10 years, according to a new analysis.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 16, 2023

Arizona housing bill rejected by state Senate over affordability, local control worries

Gov. Katie Hobbs, D, also opposed the bill, telling reporters in February that she didn’t support “a one-size-fits-all approach” to address the state’s growing affordable housing and homelessness crises.

By Michael Brady • March 14, 2023

Skanska predicts construction costs will rise above inflation in many US cities

The new report examined construction costs in 21 U.S. markets, including Dallas; New York City; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; San Francisco; and Seattle.

By Zachary Phillips • March 14, 2023