Blogosphere: SG Great Unless Causing Bubbles
Grist
Did land-use regulation contribute to the housing bubble? The idea is no comfort to Smart Growth fans, but it's the conclusion of new research [PDF] from a pair of economists...
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(July 30, 2010)
Blogosphere: Missing the Point on Inclusionary Zoning
NRDC Switchboard
Earlier this week, The Washington Post featured an article by Jeffrey O'Connell headlined, "DC affordable housing policy has put up a goose egg." The article casts a pall over the city's new inclusionary zoning program, citing a city report to the effect that the law had created no new affordable homes in Washington between last August, when it went into effect, and March of this year...
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(July 30, 2010)
National: Slow Moving Fanny and Freddie Overhaul
Washington Post
The Obama administration on Tuesday tiptoed closer to overhauling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, announcing a conference next month to begin a public discussion on how to remake the nation's system for funding home loans...
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(July 30, 2010)
Bay Area: Creating More Livable Communities
San Francisco Chronicle
Tired of long commutes, heart-stopping gas bills and brown air? Private developers, local governments and the state of California are working on an answer. It's called infill development. It strives to build the next generation of California's housing in neighborhoods that are well-planned, walkable, have parks and green spaces, are near jobs and public transportation, and have shopping close enough that you don't have to start up the minivan to get a quart of milk. Read On
(July 30, 2010)
Chicago: HUD Charges Developer Over Accessibility
Chicago Breaking News
A local architect and developer was charged Monday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development with housing discrimination for designing and building a Chicago apartment building that it alleges does not comply with accessibility requirements....
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(July 28, 2010)
Atlanta: Beltline Could Spur Thousands of Housing Units
WSBTV
The Atlanta Beltline is using a community land trust that would keep and create more than 5,000 units of affordable housing in the city, Channel 2 Action News has learned. Organizers said it's an effort to keep residents already living in city limits, and entice new residents to move in..
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(July 28, 2010)
Santa Rosa: Cannery Developer Wants Senior Housing
Press Democrat
The developer of a transit-oriented project at Railroad Square wants to shift the location of affordable housing units in an attempt to jump-start a companion project. The John Stewart Co. is asking the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit agency for permission to move 68 senior housing units from the "transit village" on SMART's property to the adjacent Cannery project Stewart also owns...
(July 27, 2010)
Dallas: Colin County Feels the Pressure of Seniors
Dallas Morning News
Tim Montgomery built his own retirement home. In a land of McMansions, he limited his Celina house to one story. He widened bathroom doors to fit wheelchairs. He planned a spare bedroom for elderly parents. He designed his kitchen table to hold at least eight hungry grandchildren....
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(July 26, 2010)
Twin Cities: Housing Costs Bleeding Residents
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Despite steady declines in housing prices and mortgage interest rates, many Minnesotans -- even those with jobs -- still face formidable challenges when it comes to paying for a home....
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(July 22, 2010)
Twin Cities: Employees Unhappy with Housing Dept Move
Minnesota Daily Record
Fulfilling a four-year old campaign promise, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced the relocation of the state Department of Housing and Community Development from Anne Arundel County to near an undetermined Metro station in Prince George's County a month ago with great fanfare...
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(July 22, 2010)
