Shelterforce: Recent Episodes
Shelterforce
Shelterforce is nonprofit and independent publication that covers topics from community planning to racial equity, affordable housing to the future of community development, and how policy intersects with it all. Here you can listen to authors read their latest Shelterforce articles, as well as our interviews with folks on the ground. For more, go to shelterforce.org.
Mondragón Cooperative Corporation, based in Spain, is a 70,000-member worker cooperative network. In May, it sent three representatives to the U.S. as part of an effort to build an international alliance of like-minded “social economy” enterprises. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/29/worlds-largest-worker-cooperative-network-seeks-new-allies/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
Federal accessibility requirements are only as effective as the local governments responsible for enforcing them. Michael Allen, a disability rights attorney, reflects on cases in Chicago and Los Angeles, and why they should serve as a warning to cities nationwide.Music by ℗ ComaStudioRead the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/08/05/the-accessibility-rules-were-there-the-enforcement-wasnt/This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Housing in an Aging Society.
Aging safely in rural communities depends on a fragile interconnected network of housing, healthcare, transportation, and local support. Shelterforce's Franklin Schneider reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/08/04/the-wobbly-infrastructure-behind-aging-in-rural-communities/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
Private equity firms are major players in the rental housing market. Here's how private equity ownership works, how it harms tenants, and the organizing strategies and policy responses that could help. This piece is read by Caroline Nagy, the associate director of housing policy at Americans for Financial Reform (AFR). Nagy co-wrote this piece with her AFR colleague Aditi Sen.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/31/everyones-talking-about-private-equity-in-housing-heres-what-you-need-to-know/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
Seniors have long been more likely to own than rent. But the number of older renters is growing, and they’re especially vulnerable to rising housing costs, inaccessible buildings, weak tenant protections, and homelessness. Here’s why the stakes are higher later in life. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Music by ℗ ComaStudioRead the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/30/for-older-renters-the-housing-crisis-comes-with-higher-stakes/This article is part of Housing in an Aging Society, an Under the Lens series by Shelterforce. Check out the series at https://shelterforce.org/series/housing-in-an-aging-society/
Older homeowners often fall into a Catch-22: too much home equity to qualify for aid, but too little income to comfortably live in their homes. Some housing models aim to bridge that gap. Franklin Schneider reports for Shelterforce.Music by ℗ ComaStudio
In 2019 and 2023, Oregon passed two laws requiring city housing plans to affirmatively further fair housing. But rather than using maps to inform policy, many Oregon cities are refraining from mapping to avoid confronting patterns of segregated housing. Jennifer Bragar, president of Housing Land Advocates, explains. Bragar co-wrote this piece with John Miller, executive director of Fair Housing Council of Oregon.Music by ℗ ComaStudio
Helping older adults remain in their homes has become a policy goal across the country. Making it happen is far more complicated. Reporting by Sandra Larson, a freelance reporter. This story is read by John Ludas, Shelterforce's audio producer.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/22/everyone-supports-aging-in-place-but-can-we-actually-deliver-it/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
The debate over aging in place is shifting from how to keep older adults in their homes to what kinds of communities allow people to age safely, affordably, and with dignity. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/21/housing-for-an-older-america-from-aging-in-place-to-aging-in-community/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
Stability in older age depends on a host of overlapping conditions being met. Our new Under the Lens series explores those conditions, how to achieve them, and what it means when our housing system isn’t built for a population that’s growing older. Shelterforce's Lillian Ortiz explains what you can expect over the next several weeks.Read the full editor's note here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/20/the-population-is-getting-older-our-housing-system-isnt-ready/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
The Federal Housing Finance Agency is proposing to significantly change how it enforces Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s duty to serve underserved mortgage markets. Comments from the public are due July 24. Doug Ryan, vice president of housing policy at Grounded Solutions Network, explains.Read Ryan's op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/17/proposed-federal-rule-would-undercut-fannie-and-freddies-duty-to-serve-underserved-markets/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A call for research proposals on reducing housing demand suggests a radical and troubling shift that may be coming in housing policy.This op-ed was written by Alan Mallach, a senior fellow at the Center for Community Progress. It is read by Miriam Axel-Lute, Shelterforce's editor-in-chief.Read the full op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/13/should-everyone-have-a-decent-home-obscure-hud-document-suggests-no/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
There is a lot that can be done to advance housing and community investment at the local and state level. This is the perfect moment to do it.This Shelterforce webinar explored some of the many ways that local and state governments can independently take create action to advance affordable housing and healthy communities. The four panelists discussed reining in corporate power and enforcing anti-trust laws, instituting public banking, passing reforms that reduced the costs of developing housing, and adjusting tax breaks to actually incentivize new affordable units.Watch the webinar here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/09/laboratories-of-democracy-emerging-state-and-local-policy-visions-a-shelterforce-webinar/
Fair housing law has never been easy to enforce. But HUD's proposal to eliminate the use of disparate impact analysis will remove another crucial tool for doing so. Amber Banks, the president and CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, explains.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/08/how-hud-is-seeking-to-make-fighting-housing-discrimination-even-harder/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A proposed HUD rule that would allow housing agencies and subsidized housing owners to impose work requirements and time limits on tenants has drawn nearly 2,000 public comments, most opposing changes that advocates say could threaten housing stability for millions. Erik Gartland, a research analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, explains.Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/07/huds-work-requirement-and-time-limit-proposals-put-rental-assistance-at-risk/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget would facilitate political interference in federal grant disbursements across all agencies. Alexandra Gallo, former special advisor at the EPA, explains.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/07/01/federal-grant-rule-change-threatens-community-access-to-public-funds/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
In Atlanta, nearly 1,000 labor union members and community allies gathered at the Jobs With Justice national conference, where one of the themes was linking immigrant, worker, and tenant struggles to build community power. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read Steve's column at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/29/linking-immigrant-worker-and-tenant-struggles-to-build-community-power/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A two-year rent freeze, affecting about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments in New York, was just approved. Before the freeze passed, landlords said their buildings wouldn’t survive it. But recent analyses suggest the real culprit behind distressed buildings is predatory equity, not rent stabilization. Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/24/are-nycs-rent-stabilized-buildings-really-in-crisis/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
Affordable housing construction finance reflects market norms, but its track record shows it’s far less risky than conventional market-rate housing loans. While lower default rates should lead to lower interest rates, they currently do not. Kris Adhikari, a housing development and real estate finance professional, explains.Read Adhikari's piece here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/30/affordable-housing-financing-is-overpriced-but-it-doesnt-have-to-be/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A federal housing bill passed by strong majorities in both houses of Congress marks the first major overhaul of housing legislation in over 30 years. It awaits the president's signature. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/24/congress-passes-broad-housing-package-after-years-of-gridlock/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A poem by housing attorney Eric Sirota that highlights the existential absurdity of our system’s treatment of low-income renters.Music by ℗ ComaStudio
In recent years, housing coalitions promoting community land trusts and real estate cooperatives have formed in multiple cities and states—and they are achieving results. Nonetheless, a lot of work is needed to achieve the policy changes these groups desire. Leo Goldberg, a policy researcher and advocate, explains.Music by ℗ ComaStudio
While not adjusting for inflation, the White House’s FY 2027 budget request otherwise maintains HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher funding, but proposed policy changes would make it harder for families to access and maintain assistance. Kim Johnson, senior director of policy at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, explains.Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/16/huds-fy-2027-spending-bill-funds-vouchers-but-would-make-them-harder-to-get/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
As the country’s mental health, substance use, homelessness, and affordability crises collide, traditional affordable housing providers say they’re being pushed to fill the gaps left by underfunded supportive systems—without the money, staff, or resources to do so. Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/16/unsupported-housing-when-stability-isnt-enough/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
As the World Cup arrives in 11 American cities, Airbnb is spending millions lobbying to loosen short-term rental regulations. Here's how cities are responding.Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/11/airbnbs-lobbying-campaign-meets-resistance-across-world-cup-host-cities/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
As World Cup matches begin, advocates warn that Atlanta is on track to repeat the arrests, displacement, and criminalization of homeless residents that drew criticism during the city's 1996 Olympics. Sean Keenan reports. This article was co-reported with Hailey Weiner. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/12/will-the-world-cup-fuel-arrests-of-homeless-people-in-atlanta/Music by ℗ ComaStudio
A former hub of Black-owned businesses in North Memphis that suffered urban renewal seeks to rebuild without a new wave of displacement. Can a community land trust strike that balance? Laurie Mazur reports for Shelterforce.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/09/a-historic-black-memphis-neighborhood-turns-to-a-clt-to-avoid-displacement/Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
In Massachusetts, the collection of more than 124,000 signatures makes it likely that a statewide rent control measure will be on the ballot in November. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read the full story here: In Massachusetts, the collection of more than 124,000 signatures makes it likely that a statewide rent control measure will be on the ballot in November.Music by ℗ ComaStudio
In the 1970s, anti-redlining movements were in full swing and the idea that activists, lenders, and elected officials could share power to revitalize communities and advance homeownership felt like a reach. But that was exactly my charge. Bruce Gottschall, former executive director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, shares the story.Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
In states across the South, coalitions that include housing justice advocates, tenant leaders, and legal service providers are coming together to oppose anti-tenant policies and advance tenant rights. Nada Hussein, a research analyst at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, explains.Read Hussein's piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/06/03/advocates-in-the-south-get-organized-to-advance-tenants-rights/Music by ComaStudio
Housing advocates in Eugene, Oregon, are seeking to create a legislative framework that would allow tenants to collectively acquire multifamily buildings when a building comes up for sale. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/29/in-eugene-housing-advocates-call-for-a-tenant-right-to-purchase-act/Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
What's the solidarity economy? In this Shelterforce webinar, we talk all-things solitary economy, learn how some organizations are employing its principles in their own communities, and ways these principles might be applied more broadly. Joining us are: —Alison Chopel, professor at the Graduate School of Planning, University of Puerto Rico. Chopel employs her research and design skills to support the development of community-owned housing as a strategy to resist displacement in San Juan.—Miki’ala Catelfano, co-founder and executive director of Native Roots Network, which is developing two land parcels and a network of cooperative enterprises—rooted in Indigenous knowledge, care, and community—near Redding, California.
Three years after a major Supreme Court case, bills to criminalize homelessness and ban encampments have popped up widely. But here are some places that are fighting back. Reporting by Roshan Abraham, read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/21/in-the-shadow-of-grants-pass-some-communities-reject-homeless-crackdowns/Music by ComaStudio
New York City’s public housing authority plans to install 20,000 window heat pumps and 10,000 induction stoves over the next five years. The effort shows how large-scale procurement could help affordable housing providers cut emissions and lower the cost of green upgrades. Timi Koyejo , the housing and communities policy manager at the Climate and Community Institute, explains.Music by ComaStudio
Laws designed to ease regulations that limit housing diversity and supply are passing in states around the country. Affordable housing advocates in four states talked with us about the coalitions that have come together, and how they might fit within the larger advocacy framework. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reports.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/20/supply-reforms-put-housing-on-the-agenda-even-in-red-states/Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
When Chicago tenants on rent strike agreed to stop speaking publicly about their landlord as part of settling their eviction cases, they honored the agreement. They never dreamed the landlord's lawyers would try to charge them with violating the agreement for having talked to us in the past. Hope Davis reports.Read the story here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/18/how-a-landlord-tried-to-silence-tenants-and-stop-a-shelterforce-story/Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/04/houston-artists-and-homeless-residents-collaborate-to-create-public-art/
Read it at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/12/state-and-cities-advance-affordability-by-lowering-utility-costs/Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing reminds us of the need to combine political and economic organizing—and to translate protest gains into lasting structural change. Ron Stubblefield, director of Housing and Place-Based Initiatives at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, explains. Music by ComaStudio
In Brazil’s settlements, or favelas, residents risk displacement due to unclear property title—but getting clear title could price them out of the community. Could community land trusts offer a solution to this dilemma? Felipe Litsek and Tarcyla Fidalgo, coordinators of the Favela-CLT Project, explain. This piece is read by John Ludas for Shelterforce.Music by ComaStudio
Facing both federal and state legislature intransigence, many tenant organizers are shifting their tactics away from policy campaigns and toward direct, building-by-building organizing. Reporting by Aaron Fernando, read by Miriam Axel-Lute.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/06/stalled-in-state-houses-tenant-unions-organize-against-landlords-directly/Music by ComaStudio
The proposed FY 2027 budget for rural housing shows improvements from last year, but still fundamentally fails to provide the support needed for small towns and rural areas to thrive. Samantha Booth, government relations manager at the Housing Assistance Council, explains.Read more at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/07/the-white-house-rural-housing-budget-the-good-the-bad-and-the-bigger-picture/Music by ComaStudio
It's not new for states and localities to have their own fair housing and community reinvestment measures—but as the federal government backs away from enforcement, their versions may grow more important. Minhae Roth reports for Shelterforce.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/05/when-the-feds-step-back-on-fair-housing-can-states-step-up/℗ Music by ComaStudio
In Canada, more than half of all housing on community land trusts is cooperative housing. In the U.S., that number is less than 2 percent. Why? Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read Steve's column at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/27/how-clts-are-powering-co-op-growth-in-canada-lessons-for-the-u-s/.℗ Music by ComaStudio
In this webinar, co-sponsored by Shelterforce and the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy, we examine some of the steps Fannie and Freddie can take to make homeownership more affordable.The webinar was moderated by Steve Dubb, Shelterforce‘s strategic initiatives editor, and included:—George McCarthy, president and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.—Sara Morgan, president of Fahe, an Appalachia-based community development finance institution (CDFI). —Tony Pickett, CEO of Grounded Solutions Network, which supports community land trusts, deed-restricted housing, and inclusionary housing.
DeShanda Williams and Nikea Ward have spent their careers supporting young people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, helping them move from instability to safety through housing, trust, and consistent support. In this interview, Shelterforce's Schlonn Hawkins chats with Williams and Ward about their work, how they establish trust with youth, their challenges and triumph as women of color, and more.This interview is part of Shelterforce's Women of the Front Lines series. Learn more at https://shelterforce.org/tag/women-of-color-on-the-frontlines/
At a time when support for housing homeless people is under attack, preventing unnecessary evictions—which are costly as well as cruel—is more important than ever for local governments. Sandra Sadek reports on some of the approaches being tried.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/29/avoiding-evictions-how-state-and-local-policy-can-keep-tenants-in-their-homes/℗ Music by ComaStudio
States can pursue legal remedies under anti-trust laws when landlords collude to raise rents or use deceptive practices to institute extra fees, even if the FTC backs away from these cases. Caroline Nagy, associate director of housing policy for Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, explains.Read Nagy's op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/28/states-can-put-the-brakes-on-landlord-collusion-and-junk-fees/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Affordable housing has never been easy to finance. Now, with rising insurance, debt, and operating costs outpacing rents and subsidies, developers say it’s getting harder to make the math work. Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/24/breaking-point-why-the-affordable-housing-business-model-is-unraveling/Music by ComaStudio
Housing markets don't stay within state boundaries. Why should housing finance agencies? Peter Sabonis, director of housing and equitable development for Partners for Dignity and Rights, explains.Read Peter's op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/22/how-states-can-build-housing-together-a-proposal-to-create-joint-authorities/Music by ℗ Music by ComaStudio
Housing funding programs are notoriously fragmented. One way to make limited housing dollars go further is to improve the systems distributing them. Reporting by Amanda Abrams; article read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/21/making-money-for-housing-go-further/℗ Music by ComaStudio
My experience with a utility shutoff led me to look more closely at who provides my city’s power. It turns out there's a push for the city to buy out the investor-owned utility and create a public one. Gabb Schivone reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/02/will-tucson-take-back-its-power-literally/℗ Music by ComaStudio
In the hunt for ways to fund affordable housing, taxes on controversial activities from gambling to short-term rentals are often appealing. Colby Sledge, regional policy director for Grounded Solutions Network, explores how that's been working in four communities.Read the article at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/17/are-dedicated-sin-taxes-a-useful-path-for-affordable-housing-funding/.℗ Music by ComaStudio
Chattanooga aligned its housing tax incentive with the actual cost of charging more affordable rents. Developers are participating. Hanneke van Deursen, the director of housing finance for the city of Chattanooga, shares the story.For more, go to https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/14/how-we-rewrote-a-tax-incentive-to-encourage-more-affordable-housing/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Voters said yes to speeding up housing approvals. Now the city is putting that plan into action. While there's excitement among affordable housing developers, some housing advocates worry the new process may quiet community voices. Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Check out the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/01/nycs-new-housing-approval-process-faces-first-tests/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Two bills passed with rare 80-percent-plus majorities in the Senate and House appear to be headed to a joint conference committee. The outcome could be a broad update to federal housing and community development rules—or it all might fall apart. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb reports.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/01/federal-housing-legislation-attracts-broad-support-but-faces-obstacles/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Taxing land and buildings at different rates can discourage land speculation and encourage housing development. Josie Faass, the co-director of the Center for Property Tax Reform, explains.Read Josie's piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/08/property-taxes-arent-the-cause-of-our-housing-crisis-theyre-a-solution-to-it/℗ Music by ComaStudio
This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Shelter in a Federal Storm.℗ Music by ComaStudio
To maintain older housing stock, aligning programs to address building deterioration before it is severe offers big payoffs, preserving both homes and housing affordability. Amanda Soskin, a Philadelphia-based consultant, explains.Read Amanda's piece at https://shelterforce.org/2026/03/31/were-making-housing-harder-to-preserve-than-it-should-be/.℗ Music by ComaStudio
Even in challenging times, there are many actions that state and local governments can take to improve housing access and look out for their residents. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute talks about what you can expect in our new series, Shelter in a Federal Storm: State and Local Housing Solutions for a Time of Federal Hostility.Read Miriam's editor's note here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/04/06/acting-locally-states-counties-and-cities-on-the-front-lines/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Members of the Belden Sawyer Tenant Association were unable to stop their homes from being converted into luxury apartments. But they've remained united, opening membership to the whole city and fighting to give tenants the right to purchase their homes. Reporting by Hope Davis; read by Miriam Axel-Lute.℗ Music by ComaStudio
Read the story and learn more at https://shelterforce.org/2026/03/20/cohousing-promises-lower-costs-why-hasnt-it-worked-in-the-us/℗ Music by ComaStudio
City redevelopment subsidies siphon tens of billions of dollars away from public services nationwide. Tom Tressor, the lead organizer for the TIF Illumination Project, shares some ways to fight back.Read Tom's op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2026/03/17/tax-increment-financing-harms-cities-lets-rein-it-in/℗ Music by ComaStudio
To protect themselves from ICE, many families are staying home from work; tenant organizers in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles are pushing for eviction moratoriums to keep them safe. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/02/27/safe-and-sheltered-how-tenant-organizers-protect-their-neighbors-in-minneapolis/℗ Music by ComaStudio
As federal funding for homelessness programs is threatened, housing advocates are combining large-scale research and case-level data to show why supportive housing works—and why it matters. Reporting by Robert Davis; read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/03/05/how-to-make-the-case-for-supportive-housing/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Shelterforce's Schlonn Hawkins chats with Erika Castro, the organizer director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, about how she turned the barriers she faced early in life into a pathway for leadership and immigration rights advocacy. This video is part of Shelterforce’s Women of Color on the Front Lines series.For more, go to https://shelterforce.org/tag/women-of-color-on-the-frontlines/.
Conversations on housing costs often focus on zoning rules. But two new studies say declining affordability is due far more to rising income inequality than short supply. Chris Schildt, director of housing justice at Urban Habitat, breaks it down.To read Chris Schildt's op-ed, go to https://shelterforce.org/2026/03/04/to-solve-the-housing-affordability-crisis-communities-must-confront-inequality/℗ Music by ComaStudio
A growing movement is reshaping how people work and live together. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb shares more in our new Solidarity Corner column, which highlights these practices and explains why they matter. Read the column here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/02/26/what-is-the-solidarity-economy/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Portland’s REACH CDC recently offloaded a 23-unit legacy building and 66 scattered-site homes—not because the mission has changed, but because the math has. The industry veteran’s portfolio triage offers a bellwether look at how rising costs, rent arrears, and aging properties are forcing even well-run nonprofits to rethink what they can afford to own.Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/02/13/what-does-it-mean-when-anchor-cdcs-start-selling-affordable-housing/℗ Music by ComaStudio
a webinar featuring Lara Heard, Shelterforce's associate editor; Matt Kreis, general counsel at the Center for Community Progress; and Y. Frank Southall, organizing and community engagement manager at Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative.You can also watch the webinar here: https://shelterforce.org/2026/02/19/fit-to-live-in-from-ordinances-to-outcomes-in-habitability-a-shelterforce-webinar/
A project in Portland, Oregon, aims to turn aging rentals into affordable condos, offering lower price points and a path to ownership. But that affordability currently rests on temporary subsidies and market goodwill. For tenants who can’t buy—and future buyers looking for affordability—the risks are significant. Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/02/06/can-condo-conversions-deliver-long-term-affordability/℗ Music by ComaStudio
by Elana Brochin, the director of health equity at the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. This audio story is read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/12/04/program-mismatches-keep-repair-funds-unused/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Ending unsheltered homelessness was a major campaign promise for the current mayor of Portland, Oregon. Homelessness service providers in the area say he chose methods that don't work. Wesley Vaughan reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/27/portlands-mayor-went-all-in-on-overnight-only-shelters-homelessness-is-still-risin/ ℗ Music by ComaStudio
The city’s new formula will blend inflation and HUD's Fair Market Rent to determine the minimum wage. Housing advocates believe it’s a replicable approach for other cities. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/02/04/when-rent-rises-so-does-minimum-wage-a-new-model-in-santa-fe/℗ Music by ComaStudio
By adjusting rent thresholds and shrinking landlord exemptions, more than a dozen municipalities have adopted stronger versions of a state law that protects tenants from high rent increases and unreasonable evictions. Frances Nguyen, Shelterforce's housing fellow, reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/29/more-upstate-towns-opt-in-to-and-toughen-new-yorks-good-cause-eviction-law/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Race Research Action Council. Read Silverstein's op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/30/hud-scolds-boston-and-minneapolis-for-doing-what-it-says-it-wants-done/℗ Music by ComaStudio
A tenant opportunity to purchase act, or TOPA, is a policy that gives tenants some specific rights when their building goes up for sale. Learn what it covers and what it doesn’t in this explainer.Watch the video at https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/01/what-is-topa/
As the single-family rental market grows, tenant organizers are adapting their tactics to a housing landscape that stretches across neighborhoods—with no shared spaces, and often, no clear landlord. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/22/scattered-homes-shared-landlords-the-changing-landscape-of-tenant-organizing-in-single-family-rentals/℗ Music by ComaStudio
In Cambridge, Mass., residents speak positively of the renovations to their public housing stock. The housing authority attributes its success to an innovative mix of RAD with other funding sources. Shelterforce's Sandra Larson reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/12/10/what-we-can-learn-from-cambridges-public-housing-overhaul/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Years ago, officials in dozens of cities and states showed interest in passing legislation that required landlords to accept alternatives to the traditional lump-sum security deposit. Today, much of that momentum has diminished. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/12/19/what-happened-to-renters-choice-legislation/℗ Music by ComaStudio
Bridge to Power aims to boost partner organizations’ capacity, information exchange, and agency. Sandra Larson reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/09/new-national-collaborative-links-local-housing-justice-efforts/℗ Music by ComaStudio
This Shelterforce webinar caps off our most recent Under the Lens series, “Innovations in Community Ownership.” Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute speaks with folks who are implementing exciting new strategies for funding community ownership—both public and private—and for setting up the kinds of support ecosystems that will let these models thrive long term. Learn about the power of Los Angeles’s Measure ULA, New York City’s take on a shared services model, cooperation between conservationists and affordable housing development in New York’s Hudson Valley, and more. Read more from our series at: https://shelterforce.org/series/innovations-in-community-ownership/Webinars like these are free to attend. To help us support more of this work, consider making a tax-deductible donation to Shelterforce. Now through Dec.31, NewsMatch will match your donation. Learn more here: https://shelterforce.org/shelterforce-newsmatch-campaign-2025/
Jacob Folger spent 13 years of his life homeless, starting when he left home at 14 to escape a violent father. He joined the army at 18, and became a handyman when he completed his tour of duty. He employed and housed homeless people through his business in Herdon, Virginia, and later ran a small private home for those leaving homelessness in New York City. Listen to his poem, The Homeless Stretch. Read by John Ludas.Read the poem and learn more about Folger at www.shelterforce.org
The Homes for the Future fund aims create long-haul affordability without public funding by buying homes now and selling them to community land trusts after a period of renting them out. Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/26/a-no-subsidy-model-for-getting-homes-into-community-ownership/
Samuel Stein, a housing policy analyst, and Susanne Schindler, a research fellow at Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies, discuss what it means—or could mean—to have resident control over property management.
The Supreme Court ruling gave cities new leeway to criminalize homelessness. In Oakland, advocates say it’s fueled more forceful encampment sweeps and a rollback of earlier efforts at cooperation. Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/30/after-grants-pass-ruling-oakland-cracks-down-harder-on-unhoused-communities/
Kensington Corridor Trust manages dozens of properties, including affordable rental and commercial spaces, as part of its goal to revitalize the commercial corridor—but the group says who makes the decisions is more important than what decisions are made. Adriana Abizadeh-Barbour, the founding executive director of Kensington Corridor Trust in Philadelphia, explains.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2025/10/03/who-holds-the-power-how-one-corridor-flipped-the-script-on-development/
A mixed income neighborhood trust, or MINT, is a way for neighborhood organizations to develop and operate mixed-income rental properties with community governance. A MINT sets its rental mix and target populations locally, but what they have in common is a focus on preventing displacement and capturing the benefits of rising property values for neighborhood residents. Hope Davis reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/30/mixed-income-neighborhood-trusts-aim-to-capture-benefits-of-gentrification-for-existing-residents/
Many resident ownership plans are thwarted by tight timelines and high-ticket upgrade needs. One mission-driven startup is testing a phased approach to transferring mobile home park ownership to residents without pricing them out. Listen as our investigative reporter, Shelby R. King, reads "Can a Buy-and-Hold Strategy Enable Resident Ownership at More Mobile Home Parks?"Read the story here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/23/can-a-buy-and-hold-strategy-enable-resident-ownership-at-more-mobile-home-parks/
As prices in the nation’s capital have soared, some sellers want their homes to stay in reach of families like their own. The Douglass Community Land Trust is helping them make it happen. Frank Navarrete reports.
A community land trust named after Ruchell "Cinqué" Magee, considered by many to have been the longest-held political prisoner in the United States, aims to create not just affordability, but belonging. Frances Nguyen, Shelterforce's housing fellow, reports.
A community land trust took on a difficult site in suburban Seattle—and ended up with a sustainable, diverse, mixed-ownership-form development that challenges multiple norms. Brandon Duong reports for Shelterforce.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/17/mixed-income-net-zero-and-fish-friendly-innovation-at-the-southard/
Through its bequests and aging in place program, financial education offerings, and more, Artist Space Trust works to stabilize Bay Area artists in their communities. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute chats with one of the trust's founders and its executive director about where the group came from, what makes a housing group for artists different, and the legacy of elders in the arts community they are preserving.
It’s getting tougher for immigrant communities to believe they still have rights as renters—even if they are living in the country legally. Here’s how tenant organizers are helping these communities push back against ICE and the landlords who are weaponizing the current political environment. Frances Nguyen, Shelterforce's housing fellow, reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/05/for-immigrant-households-fear-of-arrest-and-deportation-erodes-tenants-rights/
Stan Chisholm found housing stability through a local nonprofit that helps artists buy their first homes. Frank Navarrete reads his latest story for Shelterforce.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/08/08/in-st-louis-artist-housing-opens-up-homeownership-opportunities/
While affordable housing with some office space for nonprofits is relatively common, in Redmond, Washington, a group of human services organizations went the other way: they rebuilt their collective office space and added housing. Kim Sarnecki, the CEO of the Together Center, explains how it all works.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/10/nonprofits-own-these-offices-and-put-housing-on-top-of-them/
Enabled by provisions in the JOBS Act of 2012 that allow smaller scale investing, community members are becoming co-owners of local real estate projects. Sandra Larson reports for Shelterforce.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/09/crowdfunded-real-estate-projects-bring-in-community-investors/
Creative problem solving is pushing community ownership models forward. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explains what you can expect in our new Under the Lens series, Innovations in Community Ownership.Read Miriam's editor's note at https://shelterforce.org/2025/09/09/more-land-more-ways-for-more-people-whats-new-in-community-ownership/
President Trump has floated cutting Community Development Block Grants entirely from the federal budget, which Congress has so far declined to do. How do these grants get used at the local level? Frank Navarrete reads his latest story for Shelterforce, "What Does CDBG Do?"Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/08/29/what-does-cdbg-do/
Local politics seem to be shifting in the Garden State. More towns have submitted plans to show how they will provide their ‘fair share’ of affordable housing than in the past, and the state has a new way to work with municipalities that push back against their housing obligations. Reporting by Roshan Abraham. Read by John Ludas.Check out the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/08/22/fifty-years-after-mount-laurel-is-affordable-housing-finally-gaining-ground-in-new-jersey/
Several groups are serving as mediators for faith-based development, helping congregations access funding, navigate long-term development processes, and avoid developer exploitation. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2025/08/06/the-matchmakers-bringing-churches-and-developers-together/
Since the spring, the nonprofit's funding has been delivered monthly instead of in full, leaving member organizations operating paycheck-to-paycheck and putting projects on hold. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reports.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/31/some-neighborworks-members-struggle-under-new-funding-schedule/
The law raises funding for LIHTC, but steep cuts to social programs will more than outweigh the benefits. Here's a look at what's in the tax law, along with a second bill that would slash housing funding if passed. Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/25/how-trumps-tax-law-will-deepen-housing-insecurity/
In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce's Lillian Ortiz reports on the wins and losses so far. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/11/legislators-push-back-against-rent-setting-software/
Home is no longer a safe space for thousands of families who live with someone who's undocumented. Caught between housing assistance and ICE surveillance, many are forced to be silent—or self-evict. Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/23/huds-cooperation-with-ice-stokes-fear-in-immigrant-communities/
In an time when many organizations are trying to adapt their messaging to reach a wider audience—which can be done—it's important to look to the research to avoid some pitfalls along the way, says Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute.The following is a lightly edited version of remarks given at the Grounded Solutions Network conference on May 29, for a panel on “The Power of Storytelling: Delivering an Effective Message in the Age of Disinformation.”Read it here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/14/housing-communicators-dont-water-down-your-values-to-appeal-to-opponents/
The mayoral candidate made a rent freeze central to his campaign. Here's how his supporters used in-person campaigning to clinch a victory, and what's ahead. Listen as John Ludas reads, "What Zohran Mamdani’s Primary Win Means for the Tenant Movement," written by Roshan Abraham.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/09/what-zohran-mamdanis-primary-win-means-for-the-tenant-movement/
The tax bill includes a significant expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. However, its other provisions, especially cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, are so harmful that the affordable housing field should not be celebrating. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explains.Read the full op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2025/07/02/trumps-big-ugly-bill-is-a-loss-for-housing/
When a new owner imposed sharp rent hikes in 2018, tenants organized and fought back. Now, more than 300 housing units will be affordable for the foreseeable future. Here’s how the tenants made it happen. Reporting by Sandra Larson; read by John Ludas.
The Trump administration wants to nearly halve funding for federal rental assistance and make the states figure out how to distribute what’s left. Tenants, landlords, and housing providers say the fallout would be catastrophic, spiking homelessness and destabilizing communities. Shelby R. King reports.
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though they are still error prone, these AI tools save time, and housing researchers are optimistic about the future. Reporting by Franklin Schneider; read by John Ludas.
HUD's new website is missing many of the resources that users relied on, including much of its archived content. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute gives us a look at what's changed, and why she believes the revamp was actually a way to cover for a drastic whitewashing operation.Read the op-ed here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/24/whats-missing-from-huds-shrunken-website/
New software and web-based applications help speed up the recertification process for voucher holders, give tenants an easier way to request repairs and communicate with staff, and help disabled residents live more independent lives. Shelterforce's Jill Webb reports.Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/26/how-affordable-housing-providers-are-embracing-tech-to-manage-housing/
With higher-valued properties under assessed and lower-valued properties over assessed, advocates say there's still a problem with Detroit's property tax system. Listen to "Detroit Says Problems With Property Tax Assessments Are Fixed. Advocates Disagree." Reporting for this story is by Roshan Abraham; read by Lara Heard.
As the mortgage industry becomes further automated, can artificial intelligence be trained to avoid replicating historic bias and expand access to loans for excluded borrowers? Some housing advocates are cautiously optimistic. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/19/training-ai-to-tackle-bias-in-the-mortgage-industry/
We’ve found more than a dozen examples of tenant-serving technology that help renters identify landlords, respond to eviction, fight back against housing discrimination, and more. Sandra Larson reports for Shelterforce.
In Springfield, Missouri, tenants have filed a lawsuit against the past and present owners of their tax credit–financed properties, claiming that in exercising an opt-out provision they violated both state and federal requirements. Listen to, "Missouri Tenants Sue Owners Who They Say Broke Rules in Exiting Tax Credit Program," written by Hope Davis; read by Frank Navarrrete.Check out the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/12/lihtc-lawsuit-missouri-says-owners-broke-rules-exiting-tax-credit-program/
Thousands of companies offer tenant screening tools that promise to make life easier for landlords and property managers. But reports show that the data these companies use is often riddled with errors and relies on information that has no bearing on whether someone will be a good tenant. Amanda Abrams reports.Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/11/tenant-screening-a-billion-dollar-industry-with-little-oversight-whats-being-done-to-protect-renters/
Shelterforce’s new Under the Lens series—How Tech Is Changing Housing—explores the growing use of technology in the housing world. Can the proper guardrails can be put in place so “innovative” tools don’t make the housing crisis worse? Lillian Ortiz, Shelterforce's managing editor, breaks down what you can expect in the series.Read the editor's note at: https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/10/techs-rising-influence-on-housing/
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in, says Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. Solidarity and courage is.Yentel spoke at Shelterforce's 50th anniversary celebration and conference this past April, and her message was so crucial that we wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to listen to it.Read an excerpt of Diane's message here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/05/our-silence-will-not-protect-us/
In Utah, a new project called Paws & Porchlight aims to provide affordable housing for older adults and their pets. The concept is simple: Twelve small houses—each no more than 600 square feet—arranged in a walkable layout along a central garden path. Each home would have its own porch, a small yard, and shared access to a dog run, a trail, and other kinds of everyday infrastructure that makes growing old feel less lonely. Jeffrey White, director of the Utah Manufactured Housing Coalition, explains more.Check out the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/04/porches-pets-and-the-people-we-grow-old-with/.
What do we mean by social housing in the United States? How has it worked in the past, and how can and should it be expanded? Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute and NPQ's Steve Dubb co-host, "Housing as a Public Good: The State of Social Housing Today." The conversation took place earlier this month, but we wanted to reshare the audio for those who either missed the webinar, or want to listen to the discussion again.If you'd like to hear more from Shelterforce, subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest stories direct to your inbox, plus jobs, webinars like this one, and more! Sign up here: https://shelterforce.org/shelterforce-weekly-signup/
The financial intricacies involved in building affordable housing can be difficult to understand. Hanneke van Deursen, the director of housing finance for the City of Chattanooga, breaks down the foundational concepts.Read the explainer at https://shelterforce.org/2025/05/28/affordable-housing-finance-101/
On Tuesday, May 20, tenants and housing advocates across the country took to the streets for a National Day of Action on Housing. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reports on Albany, New York's rally, and explains other actions that took place across the country. Check out our website for some amazing photos from rallies in six cities: https://shelterforce.org/2025/05/22/photos-in-over-a-dozen-cities-housing-activists-connect-hud-cuts-and-local-issues/
For more than two years, residents of Philadelphia’s Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods protested a plan to build a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers on top of a local transit stop. Despite widespread opposition, the proposal appeared to be moving forward with the city’s blessing. But it fell apart in early 2025, when the team’s owners decided to build new in their current location in South Philadelphia. Here, local poet Lindo Jones, known as LindoYes, reflects on the art of protest in moments like these.Watch a video of the performance at https://shelterforce.org/2025/05/16/poem-art-of-protest/
A note about our running list of major federal housing actions since Trump took office on Jan. 20 2025.Read about all the major actions here: https://shelterforce.org/2025/05/12/whats-happened-with-housing-since-trump-came-into-office/
New Jersey's Grounds for Sculpture exhibited works by Spiral Q, a Philadelphia organization that mixes art and social commentary.Reporting by Lara HeardRead the story and see the photos at: https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/29/art-the-parade-works-of-social-commentary-by-philly-based-spiral-q/
We've compiled a roundup of the major housing and community development–related actions and changes we’ve seen so far in Trump's second term. Reporting by Shelterforce staff; read by Miriam Axel-Lute.Read the full story with the compilation of housing actions at: https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/30/the-first-100-days-in-housing/
Housing Choice Voucher holders rely on their local housing authority to pay the bulk of their rent. What happens if it isn’t paid?Reporting by Shelby R. King.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/28/the-government-didnt-pay-my-rent-now-what/
Though it hasn't taken any action yet, DOGE has officially assigned a team to NeighborWorks America. The congressionally chartered nonprofit provides resources and training to a network of hundreds of local organizations that develop affordable housing and support homeowners and communities.Reported and read by Miriam Axel-Lute. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/23/is-doge-coming-after-neighborworks/#0
If you have residents or clients who might be targeted by ICE, it’s crucial to know what to do, and what not to do when immigration officials show up. Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.
In Maryland, parents and school leaders joined with housing advocates to win additional rental assistance, targeted to families in the state's community schools. Jessica Shiller reads, "How Education and Housing Advocates Worked Together to Win More Rental Assistance," a piece she and Katherine Davis wrote for Shelterforce.
Technical assistance might seem dull, but it’s vital for addressing the homelessness and housing crisis. And it's about to be a lot harder for federal grantees to get. Listen to "These HUD Cuts Have Gotten Less Attention, But the Effects Will Still Be Harmful."Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/07/these-hud-cuts-have-gotten-less-attention-but-the-effects-will-still-be-harmful/
Tenant organizers and advocates say the only way to protect communities is to stay the course—organizing for housing rights, tenant protections, and political power. Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/11/in-the-trump-2-0-era-organizing-is-the-antidote/
Clybourne Park—a play exploring race, real estate, and community tensions—can set the stage for discussion on the lasting impacts of housing discrimination, gentrification, and the fight for affordability. What lessons can we take from the past to shape a more just housing future? Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/09/clybourne-park-on-stage-housing-inequity-in-real-life-a-post-show-reflection/
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped—and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes. Max Parrott reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/02/theres-a-community-oversight-fight-brewing-in-the-bronx/
It's been a year since Catalunya implemented rent control. How well is it working, and why have tenants rallied for more protections? Olivia Haber Greenwood reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/04/03/in-barcelona-rent-control-shows-promise-but-short-term-rentals-limit-progress/
The Mount Laurel Doctrine is credited with helping to create 75,000 affordable homes in New Jersey. But, of course, it hasn’t been a simple panacea either. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explains:Read the full piece and check out the related stories at https://shelterforce.org/2025/03/28/in-new-jersey-pivotal-affordable-housing-decision-turns-50/
A law professor explains why housing should be—and someday might be—considered a human right in the United States. Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2025/03/25/six-reasons-why-housing-is-a-human-right/
As Trump reshapes the federal landscape, Housing Choice Voucher recipients, landlords, and administrators brace for potential funding cuts and fiscal chaos. Shelby R. King reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/03/18/section-8-under-trump-how-policy-uncertainty-is-affecting-affordable-housing/
The Environmental Protection Agency says $20 billion in green funding for low-income communities was mismanaged and issued with political bias, but so far the agency hasn’t produced the evidence needed to legally block the grants. Three nonprofits have filed suit. Shelterforce's Lara Heard reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/03/14/epa-terminates-already-awarded-climate-funding/
As the housing crisis deepens, interest in faith-based development is spreading across the country. How do "Yes In God’s Backyard (YIGBY)" zoning laws work, where are they being implemented or introduced, and what could it mean for communities and churches? Frances Nguyen, Shelterforce's reporting fellow, takes a closer look.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/28/the-yigby-movement-unlocking-church-owned-land-for-affordable-housing/
Despite Enterprise Community Partners’ majority voting stake in Bellwether Enterprise, the nonprofit lender long insisted it couldn’t address its subsidiary commercial mortgage lender’s questionable lending for mobile home park purchases. Shelby King reports.Read the full story at
After a years-long, tenant-led effort, Louisville will use a new tool to analyze whether a proposed housing development can meet a neighborhood’s housing needs and income levels. If it doesn’t, the city won’t subsidize it. Listen to "‘Anti-Displacement Tool’ to Direct City Funding to Projects that Won’t Price Out Residents," in Shelterforce.Reporting by Roshan AbrahamRead by John LudasCheck out the full story: https://shelterforce.org/2025/03/06/anti-displacement-tool-to-direct-city-funding-to-projects-that-wont-price-out-residents/
Dan Immergluck reviews Brian Goldstone’s upcoming book, "There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America." Immergluck is a professor of urban studies and public policy at Georgia State University. His research and policy work concerns affordable housing, community development, segregation and gentrification, and urban political economy. Read the full review at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/18/less-visible-but-still-homeless-workers-who-cant-afford-a-place-to-live/
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here? Shelby R. King reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/03/04/manufactured-crisis-losing-the-nations-largest-source-of-unsubsidized-affordable-housing/
More than $3 billion in funding was awarded to programs that help unhoused people. That money was supposed to start rolling out in January, but nonprofit leaders tell us they haven't received anything yet—putting critical homelessness services at risk. What's going on? Listen to, "HUD Staff Cuts and Grant Delays Endanger Homelessness Services." Reporting by Roshan Abraham; read by John Ludas.Read the story at: https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/25/hud-staff-cuts-and-grant-delays-endanger-homelessness-services/
A lease agreement with the city of Sacramento allowed encampment residents to stay indefinitely while they sought permanent housing. When the agreement fell apart, the residents, many of whom are disabled, say they were left without an accessible place to go.Reporting by Roshan AbrahamRead by John LudasRead the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/31/encampment-residents-thought-theyd-found-stability-why-did-their-lease-fall-apart/
More and more cities and states have plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in housing. Here's how we can avoid possible harms to renters. Chelsea Kirk—a tenant organizer, researcher, and policy advocate in Los Angeles—explains why.Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/07/we-need-a-plan-for-decarbonization-that-doesnt-displace-renters/
Decades of increasing costs and deferred maintenance could lead to people losing their homes, unless changes are made. Karen Black explains more in, "Condos—a Key Source of Affordable Housing for Homeowners—Are in Jeopardy."
The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what's coming, we should look to what states have already done. Listen to, "Trump Wants to Force Homeless People into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?," read by John Ludas. Reporting by Roshan Abraham.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/14/trump-wants-to-force-homeless-people-into-tent-cities-can-he/
The president's executive orders threaten the funding of a wide range of housing programs in the U.S. Over a dozen federal grantees told us how they've been affected, and how they're planning for an uncertain future. Miriam Axel-Lute and Lara heard report: "What Trump’s DEI Orders Could Mean for Housing."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/21/what-trumps-dei-orders-could-mean-for-housing/
The Ebony Beach Club was supposed to open in the 1950s, but the city used eminent domain to seize the site. Los Angeles artist Autumn Breon chats with Shelterforce's Lara Heard about how the story inspired her multidisciplinary art event and why she's inspired by the history of Black leisure sites.See photos from the event and more at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/12/art-exploring-black-leisure-sites/.
We don’t often make a clear distinction between investors and speculators, which makes it harder to identify harmful behavior—and to find solutions for it. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explains.Read more at https://shelterforce.org/2025/02/05/whats-in-a-name-investors-vs-speculators/
The day after a judge put a temporary block on a federal funding freeze, the administration rescinded the memo that started it all. Here's why mixed messaging has left advocates confused--and housing funds in jeopardy. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/29/federal-funding-freeze-memo-rescinded-but-were-not-out-of-the-woods-yet/
Many affordable housing developers worry Trump’s proposed taxes on imports and crackdown on immigration will be detrimental to the industry. Others hope deregulation reduces development costs enough to offset those effects. What’s the most likely outcome? Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/24/how-might-tariffs-and-deportations-affect-affordable-housing-development/
Los Angeles has imposed an additional tax on luxury home sales to generate millions for housing efforts in the city. Shelterforce's Lara Heard checks in on where the money has gone, and what’s to come.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/17/what-has-measure-ula-done-so-far/
For such a commonly used term, “affordable housing” means a lot of different things to different people and in different contexts. Shelterforce Miriam Axel-Lute explains.Read the full story with additional resources at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/23/what-is-affordable-housing/
Advocates are looking for common ground to work with the new administration, but are also prepared to defend critical policies and programs that could come under attack. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/17/how-housing-and-community-development-advocates-are-preparing-for-trump/
Kansas City tenants launched a rent strike in October. With a new administration coming into office, it might be too late for a federal rent cap—but they're still pushing for better conditions. Roshan Abraham reads his latest story, "Time’s Running Out. Striking Kansas City Tenants Want the Government to Act."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2025/01/09/times-running-out-striking-kansas-city-tenants-want-the-government-to-act/
The incoming administration’s plans could include proposing harmful housing rules and taking apart HUD. What specific changes have been hinted at and how easily might they be accomplished? Listen as Lara Heard reports: How Fast Could the Trump Administration Make HUD and Fair Housing Changes?This article was written by Heard and Lillian Ortiz.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/12/23/how-fast-could-the-trump-administration-make-hud-fair-housing-changes/
Affordable housing and neighborhood investment programs are closely tied to banking and the Treasury Department. What is the incoming administration’s attitude toward some key financial regulations, and how easy would it be for them to enact changes? Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads her latest piece, "How Fast Could Financial Regulations, Treasury Programs Change Once Trump Takes Office?"Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/12/23/how-fast-could-financial-regulations-treasury-programs-change-once-trump-takes-office/
Insurance carriers have dramatically raised premiums or even canceled policies on affordable housing providers, according to survey results. Frances Nguyen reads her latest Shelterforce article, "Survey Says: Rising Insurance Prices and Dropped Policies Threaten Community Development Work."Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/12/19/survey-says-rising-insurance-prices-and-dropped-policies-threaten-community-development-work/
Our original reporting about dangerous proposals, property insurance woes, and other threats to affordable housing (and what we can do about them) were some of our most-read stories of the year.Read the stories at https://shelterforce.org/2024/12/13/shelterforces-top-10-stories-of-2024/
In a world where educational justice and housing justice movements too often seem separated, Akira Drake Rodriguez’s research connects them. Currently an assistant professor of city planning at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design, Rodriguez is also the author of Diverging Space for Deviants: The Politics of Atlanta’s Public Housing, which explores resistance in that city’s public housing to widespread closures. We spoke with her about how school closures in Philadelphia affect neighborhoods, alternative visions for those schools, and how communities are starting to organize to change the way school facilities planning is done.
Since 2022, all new units within the Houston Land Bank must be built to meet its accessibility standards. The organization says it's able to do so while turning a profit. Roshan Abraham reports, "Why This Land Bank Builds Accessibly."Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/15/why-this-land-bank-builds-accessibly/
A common refrain heard by locals opposed to new housing developments is that area schools can’t absorb the increase in students they’ll bring. As the nation approaches an “enrollment cliff,” the data tells a different story. Shelby R. King reads her latest story for Shelterforce, "Fact Check: New Housing Doesn’t Lead to Overcrowded Schools."Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/12/03/fact-check-new-housing-doesnt-lead-to-overcrowded-schools/
Rent stabilization typically limits the amount that rent can go up every year—but a newly appointed rent guidelines board in Kingston, N.Y., took it a step further. Listen to Luca GoldMansour's report, "Kingston Agreed the Rent Was Too Damn High—So It Lowered It."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/10/11/kingston-agreed-the-rent-was-too-damn-high-so-it-lowered-it/
When Baltimore got funding for a round of school renovations, the state directed it to design schools that would also advance neighborhood revitalization—and it learned some lessons about why that's not always so simple. Ariel H. Bierbaum reads, "Rebuilding Together: How One Baltimore Program Advanced Both Education and Community Development," her latest piece in Shelterforce.
Climate change is fueling more frequent and extreme disasters, and insurance companies are responding by dropping communities and raising premiums. Caroline Nagy explains what an equitable, reformed property insurance model could look like.Read the entire piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/10/25/how-can-we-reform-property-insurance-to-adapt-to-climate-change/
Shelterforce’s Miriam Axel-Lute moderated a discussion that delved into the root causes of the housing crisis and examined a range of potential solutions that go beyond merely adding supply. From policy reforms and zoning changes to establishing community land trusts, affordable housing development, and tenant protections, the conversation explored various approaches that can help address this urgent problem. Speakers included: —Julia Duranti-Martínez, senior program officer at LISC —Roshan Abraham, Next City's housing correspondent —Candice Turner, director of homeownership at the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust —Liz Ryan Murray, director of strategic campaigns at Metropolitan Equity
College-focused rapid rehousing aims to support students facing housing instability all the way through graduation. Listen to, "How These Schools Worked With Community Groups to Fight College Homelessness," written by Jessica Wolin, Jennifer Wilking, and Molly Calhoun. This piece is read by John Ludas.Check out the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/27/how-these-schools-worked-with-community-groups-to-fight-college-homelessness/
In the face of teacher shortages and out-of-reach housing prices, efforts to provide educators with affordable housing options are taking shape across the U.S. Shelterforce looks at some of the emerging models and how they’re working so far. Listen to, "Is Housing the Key to Attracting Teachers? These Folks Think So," written by Sandra Larson. This article is read by John Ludas.To read the full story, go to https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/25/is-housing-the-key-to-attracting-teachers-these-folks-think-so/
The president-elect’s cabinet picks so far have been controversial, often alarming. What might that mean for housing? Shelby R. King reads her latest Shelterforce story, "Who Could Lead HUD Under a Second Trump Administration?"Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/22/who-could-lead-hud-under-a-second-trump-administration/
Many housing organizations are finding that educational programs are a logical—and valuable—addition to their offerings. Listen to, "Why Some Affordable Housing Managers Are Running Education Programs," written by Zoe Sullivan.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/21/why-some-affordable-housing-managers-are-running-education-programs/
Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development. By partnering with local school districts, they’re looking for ways to support families and children in their neighborhoods. How’s it working? Listen to, "Expanding the Mission: The Community Groups Serving Schools," written by Padmini Raghunath.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/19/expanding-the-mission-the-community-groups-serving-schools/
Americans are struggling more than ever to find and maintain housing they can afford. The climate crisis is only making things worse. Amongst various possible solutions, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is a main contender, with $27 billion for communities to address climate change. It’s an unprecedented amount of money that’s expected to deliver climate assistance across the country to communities that need it most, no matter the predominant politics of a given region.Shelterforce's Lara Heard recently hosted a conversation about the fund—what it is, how it can truly benefit low-income communities, and what groups have been doing with some of the funding so far.Listen here, or watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vARWtZThX2M
Schools affect their neighborhoods—if community developers don’t harness that connection for equitable change, someone else will. Ryan Good reads, "To Make Schools Better for Everyone, Connect Them to Community Development," an op-ed he wrote for Shelterforce.Read the full op-ed at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/14/to-make-school-improvement-serve-all-residents-connect-it-to-community-development/This piece is part of the Under the Lens series, "Street Blocks to Alphabet Blocks: The Housing-Education Connection." Check out the series here: https://shelterforce.org/series/street-blocks-to-alphabet-blocks-the-housing-education-connection/
The pandemic reminded us how education and housing affect each other. Now some advocates are fighting to make sure no one forgets it. Frances Nguyen reads, "Education and Housing Advocates: Better Together, But Too Often Apart," her latest piece for Shelterforce.This story is part of our new Under the Lens series, Street Blocks to Alphabet Blocks: The Housing-Education Connection.
Stable, healthy, decent affordable housing sets children up for educational success, and allows schools to be able to focus on what they do best. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute breaks down the housing-education connection and what you can expect in our new series. Read
More than 18 million Americans live in manufactured housing in mobile home parks—which are de facto the largest source of affordable housing in the United States. But as rents rise, this source of affordable housing is at risk. Fortunately there has emerged a growing movement of resident-owned cooperatives, also known as ROCs. Today, more than 22,000 families who own manufactured housing units in more than 300 mobile home parks across the United States are member-owners of these cooperatives.In this 90-minute webinar, cosponsored and co-moderated by Shelterforce and NPQ, a panel of residents, advocates, and technical assistance providers discuss the ins and outs of how to build land security for manufactured housing owners.Participants include:—Andrea Chiriboga-Flor, executive director of Justice for the People Legal Center in Denver, Colorado.—Kelly Jensen, board president at Paradise Village Cooperative in Johnstown, Colorado. —Doug McElroy, former president of the board of the Pleasant Park Mobile Home cooperative in Great Falls, Montana.—Emily Thaden, president of ROC-USA, a national organization that supports quality resident ownership of mobile home communities.
In recent decades, the Federal Home Loan Bank system has strayed from its original purpose—lending to support housing. Sharon Cornelissen reads, "The Government-Sponsored Enterprise that Turned Away from Its Housing Mission," an opinion piece she wrote along with Jared Gaby-Biegel and Brian Stromberg.Check out their piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/10/15/the-government-sponsored-enterprise-that-turned-away-from-its-housing-mission/
How well do the presidential candidates’ proposals address the growing housing crisis? Housing advocacy groups share their thoughts and criticisms of the plans (or lack thereof). Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen reads her latest report, "Housing Groups Weigh in on Harris’s and Trump’s Housing Plans."Check out the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/10/22/housing-groups-weigh-in-on-harriss-and-trumps-housing-plans/
Shelterforce’s Facebook Live series, “Meet Me at the Intersection of Housing,” was back this week with Marcia Wright-Soika, the executive director of FamilyWorks Seattle. Shelterforce’s CEO and Publisher Schlonn Hawkins chatted with Wright-Soika about affordable housing challenges, how food insecurity impacts community building, and why partnering with families is the key to driving lasting change.
Organizers aim to catalyze a crisis to pressure a major federal housing regulator to lock in tenant protections. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "Could This Rolling Rent Strike Make the Feds Protect Tenants?" written by Aaron Fernando.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/10/04/could-this-rolling-rent-strike-make-the-feds-protect-tenants/
While renters and homebuyers' challenges dominate the headlines, they aren't the only ones wrestling with maintaining decent housing. Daniel McCue, a senior research associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, reads his latest piece for Shelterforce, "House Poor: Low-Income Homeowners Struggle in the Shadows."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/09/27/house-poor-low-income-homeowners-struggle-in-the-shadows/
Shelterforce's Frances Nguyen breaks down how each presidential candidate has responded to (or ignored) five key housing issues: low supply, accessible homeownership, tenant protections, rent control, and homelessness.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/10/02/where-the-harris-trump-campaigns-stand-on-housing/
The skyrocketing cost of property insurance is endangering the future of affordable housing, even as the need for housing itself is growing. We break down what's been happening, how affordable housing developers are dealing with the cost increases, and more. Read more of our coverage about this issue at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/27/rising-property-insurance-costs-the-threat-to-affordable-housing/
The Heritage Foundation’s “conservative playbook” isn’t new, but critics say the latest version’s policies and platforms are more discriminatory and dangerous than in the past. Shelby R. King reports: how Project 2025 would Dismantle HUD.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/09/26/how-project-2025-would-dismantle-hud/
Some state finance agencies are using qualified allocation plans, or QAPs, to extend affordability of LIHTC housing beyond 30 years and increase tenant protections. Roshan Abraham takes a closer llook at where it's happening. Listen to, "States Are Using This Tool to Keep LIHTC Housing Affordable for Longer."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/09/13/states-are-using-this-tool-to-keep-lihtc-housing-affordable-for-longer/
Dallas's bonds aren't usually used for housing. A new coalition of advocates changed that. Listen as Bryan Tony reads, "How a Dallas Housing Coalition Won Bonds for Affordable Housing," a piece he and Kate Gustafson recently wrote for Shelterforce.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/09/19/how-a-dallas-housing-coalition-won-bonds-for-affordable-housing/
Four years ago, New Castle County bought a hotel to provide safe housing for its most vulnerable residents. That property evolved away from purely emergency housing to a very different, more holistic, model of care. Listen to Frances Nguyen report, "What Started as Emergency Housing Could Offer a Model for Ending Homelessness in Delaware."Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/09/17/what-started-as-emergency-housing-could-offer-a-model-for-ending-homelessness-in-delaware/
Thirteen years ago, an ambitious government initiative set out to move hundreds of families away from perilous conditions, including landslides, in Ecuador's capital. Today, 37 of those households are still waiting for the subsidies they need to become true owners of their new homes. Listen to, "How Quito’s Climate Relocation Plan Left 44 Families in Jeopardy," by Robinson Markus.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/16/how-quitos-climate-relocation-plan-left-44-families-in-jeopardy/
As flooding, sea level rise, fires, and other climate impacts increase, we'll need to move about 20 million Americans by 2100. Here's how we can rethink managed retreat to get ahead of the rising tides. "Retreating From The Coasts Makes Sense, But Our Current Approach Isn't Working," was written by Yuliya Panfil Tim Robustelli.Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/06/we-must-relocate-to-prepare-for-climate-change-and-we-must-do-it-now/
Programs that offer reentry housing for formerly incarcerated people often replicate jail or prison settings. How can housing providers do better? Frances Nguyen reads her latest reported piece for Shelterforce, "Housing Advocates Design a Better Homecoming for People Leaving Incarceration."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/09/04/housing-advocates-design-a-better-homecoming-for-people-leaving-incarceration/
Shelterforce's Lara Heard breaks down the latest information on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. How is the affordable housing industry taking advantage of the funding opportunities, and why are some folks worried about the fund's rollout?You can also read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/23/whats-happening-with-the-billions-in-climate-funding-for-low-income-communities/
There's no one way to determine what makes "green" housing. Here's a breakdown of the standards and considerations used by the affordable housing industry. Shelterforce's Lara Heard reads, "What Makes Affordable Housing ‘Green'?" written by Roshan Abraham.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/01/what-makes-affordable-housing-green/
CEER recruits residents to gauge their communities' climate needs and to act as climate educators. Shelterforce's Lara Heard asked Rita Robles and Carmen Cavezza about the program, how it works, and future plans.Listen to a summary of their interview here, or read the transcript at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/20/in-houston-climate-ambassadors-represent-their-own-neighborhoods/
Home Owners’ Loan Corporation maps have long been blamed for racial inequities in today’s Black neighborhoods, but recent research shows that’s misleading. Listen to, "Redlining Maps Didn't Affect Neighborhoods the Way You Think They Did," an op-ed written by Alan Mallach, and read by John Ludas.Read the op-ed at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/21/redlining-maps-didnt-affect-neighborhoods-the-way-you-think-they-did/
For decades, a group of Cambodian refugees worked to improve and upgrade their Stockton, California, affordable housing complex. While they technically own half of the property, they're still waiting on HUD to approve their full ownership. Why hasn't it happened yet? Listen to "Will This Resident Group Get Full Control of the Complex They Helped Fix?" This article was reported by Amanda Abrams, and read by John Ludas.Read the story at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/14/will-this-resident-group-get-full-control-of-the-complex-they-helped-fix/
Neighborhood-scale community development organizations have community connections and trust that can’t be replicated by larger organizations, and they should be valued as the foundation of the field. Bill Taft reads his op-ed, "Standing Up for Small CDCs."Read the op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/28/standing-up-for-small-cdcs/
Last year it seemed like a new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule was imminent, but it never happened. And now it's late enough in the term that if it were finalized, next year's Congress could invalidate it. Shelby R. King reads her latest Shelterforce article, "Housing Equity in Limbo—Why Hasn’t Biden Finalized an Update to AFFH?"Read the article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/27/housing-equity-in-limbo-why-hasnt-biden-finalized-an-update-to-affh/
Thousands lost their homes in the Almeda and Marshall fires. Years into long-term recovery, a look at who received emergency assistance and who was left out can teach us a lot about which populations are most vulnerable to climate events. Shelby R. King reports.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/13/what-two-wildfires-reveal-about-the-cracks-in-our-emergency-response/
Four years after the pandemic first wrought havoc on the American economy, nonprofit housers are being overwhelmed by rental arrears. Can they balance their social mission against their operational realities? Corey McDonald reports, "Affordable Housers Face Deepening Rental Arrears and Ballooning Expenses." This audio version of the article is read by John Ludas.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/02/affordable-housers-face-deepening-rental-arrears-and-ballooning-expenses/
A new statewide program aims to help renters benefit from the value they add to the buildings they live in. Roshan Abraham reports on how the program could work, and when it could begin.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/20/colorado-wants-to-give-tenants-money-for-paying-rent/
U.S. cities don't provide residents with enough protections against heat, the deadliest weather-related killer in the world. Jill Webb reports on one organization in NYC that came together to distribute ACs to neighbors in need. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/07/30/beating-extreme-heat-through-community-efforts/
Ithaca became the latest city to opt into New York’s new Good Cause Eviction Law. What are tenant organizers doing to make the law work better for their communities? Frances Nguyen reads her latest piece, "In Upstate New York, the Fight for Good Cause Continues." Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/07/12/in-upstate-new-york-the-fight-for-good-cause-continues/
When tenant protections are popular, opponents know better than to try to repeal them. But they can damage them just the same. Miriam Axel-Lute reads her latest op-ed, "Winning Tenant Protections Isn't Enough."Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/07/18/winning-tenant-protections-isnt-enough/
Shelterforce's Lara Heard explains what you can expect in our new Under the Lens series—Dual Crises: Housing in a Changing Climate.Read Heard's editor's note here: https://shelterforce.org/2024/07/24/shelter-and-the-storm-housing-and-climate-change-are-intertwined/Check out the entire series at https://shelterforce.org/series/dual-crises-housing-in-a-changing-climate/
When it comes to LIHTC deals, nonprofit developers don't get the same advantages big, for-profit developers do. A new fund is setting out to change that. James Peffley, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks Capital, breaks it down.Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/25/nonprofit-housing-developers-deserve-better-lihtc-terms/
Who owns our homes is an absolutely essential part of housing policy, and an even greater part of housing politics. Alex Schafran reads, "Ownership Matters: Institutional Investors and Corporate Ownership." Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/23/ownership-matters-institutional-investors-and-corporate-ownership/
In 2019, a large affordable housing operator implemented a unique program meant to reduce evictions across its properties. Several years, one pandemic, and an economic downturn later, we check in to see how the landlord—and the tenants—are faring. Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reads her recent article, "Mixed Results: How an Eviction Prevention Program is Going." Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/07/03/mixed-results-how-an-eviction-prevention-program-is-going/
There are many proposed ways to mitigate the property insurance cost crisis. They all require federal or state government to act. John Ludas reads, "Reining in Rising Property Insurance Rates," written by Franklin Schneider. Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/21/reining-in-rising-property-insurance-rates/
Shelterforce recently spoke with community-lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations planning to do to avoid becoming the next target? John Ludas reads, "Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?" written by Sandra Larson. This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Moving Community Development Forward. Check out the series at: https://shelterforce.org/series/moving-community-development-forward/Read "Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?" at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/12/are-race-based-lawsuits-affecting-community-lenders/
In Spain, a new law makes rent control possible—and one region has implemented it. In Catalunya, a rent freeze and rental price index promise to help struggling tenants. Olivia Haber Greenwood reads, "This Part of Spain Has Won Rent Regulations U.S. Tenant Activists Can Only Dream Of," a piece she reported on for Shelterforce.Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/26/this-part-of-spain-has-won-rent-regulations-u-s-tenant-activists-can-only-dream-of/
It's easy to stick to the tried-and-true pipeline when hiring for community development roles. But forming connections with people from different industries and generations can make our teams stronger. Amandula Anderson, executive director for the Indiana region for IFF, a Chicago-based CDFI, reads, "Want Leaders in Community Development? Develop a New Hiring Strategy." The piece recently appeared in Shelterforce.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/30/want-leaders-in-community-development-develop-a-new-hiring-strategy/
Attachment to tax credits, which can’t provide as much housing as we need, is keeping the much-needed expertise of nonprofit developers out of conversations about alternatives, says Beilul Naizghi. Listen to her recent piece for Shelterforce, "Why Don’t California’s Nonprofit Housers Embrace Social Housing?" read by Mark Ludas.Read the full piece at shelterforce.org/2024/05/17/why-dont-californias-nonprofit-housers-embrace-social-housing/
One of the major questions for the affordable housing world in the next couple of years will be how well its various segments come together. Listen as Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "Community Development: Between a Rock and a Hard Place?"Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/18/community-development-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/
A high-stakes, high-profile community land trust project once hailed as a triumph in New Orleans ended in disaster for its residents, but it’s important to draw the right lessons about why. Shelby R. King reads her latest investigative piece for Shelterforce, "The Permanent Affordability That Wasn't: Lessons from the Pythian Building."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/06/04/the-permanent-affordability-that-wasnt-lessons-for-community-land-trusts/
Ohio’s largest conservation land trust has been accused of purchasing a manufactured housing community with the very intention of closing it, evicting more than 100 households in the process. But proponents of the park’s closure say the land's failing infrastructure—and the benefit the property will bring to an entire city—is what forced the decision. Frances Nguyen reads her latest Shelterforce article, "Nonprofit to Close Mobile Home Community to Build a Park." Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/10/nonprofit-to-close-mobile-home-community-to-build-a-park/
The nonprofit is giving the big bank a shot at proving it’s not the “worst” for Black borrowers. But after getting burned by the lender during the last community benefits agreement, what guardrails can NCRC put in place to ensure KeyBank keeps its promises? Shelterforce's Shelby R. King reports: "KeyBank and NCRC Are Back Together. What’s Different This Time?"Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/30/keybank-and-ncrc-are-back-together-whats-different-this-time/
Who gets to benefit from neighborhood revitalization efforts, and at what cost? Frances Nguyen reads her latest piece for Shelterforce, "Does Cleveland’s Plan for Public Green Space Pave the Way for Gentrification?"Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/17/does-clevelands-plan-for-public-green-space-pave-the-way-for-gentrification/
In the Twin Cities, where voters have recently supported rent control, most nonprofit housing developers have stayed silent, and some have openly lined up with the developers and landlords who oppose it. John Ludas reads, "Affordable Housing Sector Split on Rent Control," written by Aaron Fernando.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/21/affordable-housing-sector-split-on-rent-control/
Research explores residents' experiences with and observations about community development organizations in four cities. Karis Tzeng reads, "What Do Residents Think of Community Development Organizations?"Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/07/what-do-residents-think-of-community-development-organizations/
Three fascinating research projects take very different approaches to learning more about the sector, but many of the storylines they are surfacing are related. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explores more in, "New Research Gives Different—But Complementary—Looks at the Community Development Field."Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/06/new-research-gives-different-but-complementary-looks-at-the-community-development-field/This piece is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Moving Community Development Forward. Check out the series at https://shelterforce.org/series/moving-community-development-forward/
With attention—and funding—focused on new housing supply over preservation and operations, even mission-driven nonprofit affordable housing managers are struggling to maintain decent conditions in older affordable housing. Priya Jayachandran, CEO of National Housing Trust, explains more in, "In the Rush to Build, Existing Affordable Housing Is Falling Apart."Read the entire op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2024/05/09/in-the-rush-to-build-existing-affordable-housing-is-falling-apart/
Intake questions about past evictions and mental health stopped families of color from accessing long-term housing support, but agencies in Arizona and elsewhere are asking new questions. Angela Mercado reads her latest article for Shelterforce, "Common Homelessness Assessment Leads to Racial Disparities in Housing Placements."Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/07/common-homelessness-assessment-leads-to-racial-disparities-in-housing-placements/
The community development field is in an interesting and challenging spot right now. Our new Under the Lens series zooms in and explores this moment in the field. Listen as Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute breaks down what you can expect in our new Under the Lens series—Moving Community Development Forward.
The Grants Pass decision could shape how cities address homelessness in ways that may challenge housing advocates, but it also represents the best opportunity we've had in decades to change the narrative on homelessness and build stronger public will for housing. Tiffany Manuel, founder of TheCaseMade, explains.Read the op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2024/04/26/criminalizing-homelessness-supreme-court-case-gives-us-a-chance-to-change-the-narrative/
History often feels like a depressing account of the worst things people can do to each other. But a recent book contains reminders that nothing is inevitable, and sometimes people have done better than we’re doing now—even in terms of housing and social equity. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explains.Read "A (Much) Older Example of Social Housing Than Vienna," at https://shelterforce.org/2024/04/19/a-much-older-example-of-social-housing-than-vienna/
Five women from diverse backgrounds who span the country—Missouri, New Mexico, Hawaii, California, and Texas—got together with Shelterforce to talk about the community development field and their work in it. Read the transcript or watch the webinar here: https://shelterforce.org/2024/04/03/her-story-her-power-in-community-development-a-shelterforce-webinar/This webinar was part of Shelterforce's series, Women of Color on the Front Lines. Check out the series at https://shelterforce.org/tag/women-on-the-frontlines/
The proposed program could shrink the racial homeownership gap while serving a wide cross-section of people. But it only addresses some of the results of past discrimination. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads her latest piece, "Targeting First-Generation Homebuyers Is a Great Way to Direct Downpayment Assistance—And It Could Be Better."Read the op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/28/targeting-first-generation-homebuyers-is-a-great-way-to-direct-downpayment-assistance-and-it-could-be-better/
Rapidly rising insurance premiums are forcing affordable housing developers to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and even sell. To add insult to injury, some insurers also seem to be adding penalties or withdrawing coverage for housing voucher holders. John Ludas reads, "Soaring Property Insurance Rates Threaten Affordable Housing Development," written by Franklin Schneider. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/26/soaring-property-insurance-rates-threaten-affordable-housing-development/
A survey of Cambridge, Massachusetts, residents found that residents of affordable units in inclusionary housing properties reported frequently experiencing bias, especially from management. How can we can change that? Mark Ludas reads, "Low-Income Residents of Inclusionary Housing Report Facing More Bias," written by Alexandra Curley, Judith Gonyea, Colette Ngana, and Alyssa Nickell.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/16/low-income-residents-of-inclusionary-housing-report-facing-more-bias/
There are reforms and expansions of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit afoot. But some in the field argue that we need to change the tax credit model of financing housing more deeply—or move away from it entirely. Join scholars and organizers as they discuss these issues and explore a path forward.Watch the video and read the transcript here: https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/15/lihtc-are-little-changes-enough-a-shelterforce-webinar/
As she retires from three decades as executive director of a housing authority in Georgia, Sandra Hudson reflects on her accomplishments. John Ludas reads, "Longtime PHA Exec Reflects on Three Decades of Work in Georgia," written by D. Amari Jackson.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/22/a-sustainable-model-for-public-housing-longtime-pha-exec-reflects-on-three-decades-of-work-in-georgia/
Four disability advocates and experts explain what's needed to house Americans with disabilities and some of the work that's being done to get there. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute hosts, "Getting to More Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing," a webinar featuring:—Anita Cameron, director of minority outreach for Not Dead Yet. —Chelsea Hayman, director of housing policy and programs for Maryland’s Department of Disabilities. —Hunter Herrera-McFarland, policy associate for The Kelsey, an organization that creates and works on disability-forward housing solutions. —Shelly Richardson, executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois. Read the transcript and watch the video at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/01/getting-to-more-accessible-affordable-inclusive-housing-a-shelterforce-webinar/
They've helped more than 100 New York City renters fight source-of-income discrimination and find housing. How did this partnership begin and what lessons can they offer others? Damaly Gonzalez reads, "An Unlikely Collaboration—Real Estate Agent Joins Community Organization to Help Voucher Holders," in Shelterforce.Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/09/an-unlikely-collaboration-real-estate-agent-joins-community-organization-to-help-voucher-holders/
We sort out the different meanings of the term as it's used in the health sector and in the community organizing sector. Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "What Does ‘Community Benefit’ Mean?"See the full explainer at https://shelterforce.org/2024/01/23/q-what-does-community-benefit-mean/
There’s no denying that affordable housing can be expensive to build. But we need to look at the long-term benefits of those investments to see the bigger picture. Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "Legitimate Debate or Short-Sighted Complaints? 5 Reasons Affordable Housing Is Expensive to Build," her latest piece for Shelterforce.Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/02/5-reasons-affordable-housing-is-expensive-to-build/
The assessments that evaluate a bank’s lending practices have improved, but there are several missed opportunities for reform. For one, the new rules won't incorporate a racial analysis into lending examinations. Kevin Hill reads, "How the New CRA Rule Will Help, and Where It Falls Short."Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/01/how-the-new-cra-rule-will-help-and-where-it-falls-short/
This housing cooperative is taking advantage of D.C.’s pioneering Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, but the pressure of paying back a loan with mounting interest could stymie the group's plans to provide affordable housing. John Ludas reads, "How 'Tenant Stewards' Are Using TOPA to Form a Co-op," written by Roshan Abraham. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/01/26/how-tenant-stewards-are-using-topa-to-form-a-co-op/
The decision to demolish Wellston's public housing had already been made when residents and the mayor decided to fight for it, but persistence, luck, and a financing structure with some unusual twists brought them back from the brink. Amy De La Hunt reports for Shelterforce.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/01/18/a-fifth-of-this-towns-homes-were-saved-from-demolition-and-kept-affordable/
In our latest “Meet Me at the Intersection of Housing” series, Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, talks with Shelterforce's Schlonn Hawkins about the dangers and promise of AI, powerful tools driving the fight for housing justice, and a little bit about herself. Watch the series at https://shelterforce.org/2024/01/12/meet-me-at-the-intersection-of-housing-with-guest-lisa-rice/
There's a lot of momentum toward resident-controlled housing. Do you know the three major forms it takes? Miriam Axel-Lute breaks down cooperatives, community land trusts, and mutual housing associations. Read and download the explainer here: https://shelterforce.org/2024/01/04/q-what-are-the-three-major-types-of-community-or-resident-controlled-housing-and-how-do-they-work/
Three years after Brandon Duong first reported on aggregators, aggressive investors are still suing LIHTC general partners to profit off what should be affordable housing. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/30/lihtc-right-of-first-refusal-is-still-under-attack/And the original story here: https://shelterforce.org/2020/10/16/refusing-the-right-to-refuse/
Adding more credits and making tweaks do not actually address some of the major weaknesses of the program. We should be bolder, says Alan Mallach in this opinion piece. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/12/21/how-to-really-reform-the-low-income-housing-tax-credit-program/
In 2018, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program was expanded to privately owned properties receiving project-based rental assistance. Reid Cramer takes a look at how early adopters have used the program to support residents, and lessons they learned along the way. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/12/08/the-fss-program-was-expanded-beyond-public-housing-authorities-heres-how-its-going/
Tenant organizing has the power to transcend culture wars and break down the artificial barriers that have been placed between us, says Josh Poe, an organizer with the Louisville Tenants Union. "I don’t believe that the GOP is winning in Kentucky because people where I’m from hate Black people or LGBTQ people. They’re winning because one side is organizing and the other side is not. One side is clear about power and the other side is not."Read more from Poe at https://shelterforce.org/2023/09/01/tenants-unions-are-how-we-win-in-the-south/
Because so many old buildings are hard to fully retrofit, new homes need to fill in the gap. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads her latest piece, "All New Homes Should Be Accessible."Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/12/12/all-new-homes-should-be-accessible/
Arrangements in which LIHTC tenants share in the development’s financial benefits, or become partial or full owners, are rare—but some properties have pulled them off. This scan of several examples shows the possibilities—and the conditions needed for them to succeed. Robin Dondiego reads, "Can Residents Get More Out of Tax Credit Housing?" This article appeared in Shelterforce's Under the Lens series—LIHTC: The Good, The Bad, and the Very Complicated.Read the story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/21/can-residents-get-more-out-of-tax-credit-housing/Check out the entire series at: https://shelterforce.org/category/lihtc-the-good-the-bad-and-the-very-complicated/
Even those who praise the tax credit program and what it has accomplished are concerned that there are so few sizeable alternatives to it. Miriam Axel-Lute reads "The Only Tool in the Box: What It Means That LIHTC Dominates Affordable Housing." Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/12/08/the-only-tool-in-the-box-what-it-means-that-lihtc-dominates-affordable-housing/
Last year, we reported on tenants in Northern Virginia LIHTC properties whose rents were raised in the middle of their leases. In "How Tenant Activists Won Protections Against Mid-Lease Rent Hikes," Brandon Duong explains how other states have banned the practice.Read the full story here:https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/30/how-tenant-activists-won-protections-against-mid-lease-rent-hikes-in-affordable-housing/
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is famously complex. We can't exactly make it simple, but we've broken down the basics, which would be especially helpful to residents who live in LIHTC properties. Robin Dondiego reads, "LIHTC for Regular People." This FAQ is part of the Shelterforce series "LIHTC: The Good, the Bad, the Very Complicated."Read the full FAQ here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/30/lihtc-for-regular-people/
There’s broad agreement that LIHTC is key to increasing the affordable housing supply and has been successful. But everyone also agrees there is room for improvement. Sandra Larson reads her latest Shelterforce story, "How to Reform the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/21/how-to-reform-the-low-income-housing-tax-credit-program/This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series—LIHTC: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Complicated.
LIHTC developers must follow strict affordability rules—and fulfill other promises—for at least 30 years. While industry insiders insist compliance rates are high, tenant advocates say noncompliance is a real problem. Shelby R. King reads, "How Are LIHTC Rules Enforced—And How Well?" Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/15/how-are-lihtc-rules-enforced-and-how-well/This story is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series: LIHTC—The Good, the Bad, and the Very Complicated.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit was created in a moment when other real estate tax preferences were going away—but at the time, no one expected it to grow into the main source of affordable housing finance in the country. Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "LIHTC: How It Started, How It’s Going." Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2023/11/15/lihtc-how-it-started-how-its-going/This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series: LIHTC: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Complicated.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in June that overrode dozens of local tenant protection laws won there in recent years. How are housing organizers in Florida fighting back? And what can other organizers do if they live in a state that is hostile to tenant protections? Natasha Ishak reads, "Tenant Protections Undone: How Florida Organizers Are Moving Forward," in Shelterforce.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/10/24/tenant-protections-undone-how-florida-organizers-are-moving-forward/
Underinvested communities are at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting and deploying funding. The Center for Community Investment is helping to change that. Laurie Mazur reads, "Preparing Underinvested Communities for New Funding."Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/10/06/preparing-underinvested-communities-for-new-funding/
For Shelterforce, Katya Schwenk reports on a SCOTUS ruling that may end up benefiting speculators and hurting land banks.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/10/19/supreme-court-decision-good-for-homeowners-bad-for-land-banks/
Researchers found that older homeowners in St. Louis averaged $13,000 in unmet home repairs. How can advocates measure home repair need in their own cities? And how much of a difference can home repairs make? Shelterforce's Lara Heard reads, "Why Housing Policy Should Include More Funding For Home Repairs," written by By Todd Swanstrom and John N. Robinson III.
Read the article at https://shelterforce.org/2023/08/17/why-housing-policy-should-include-more-funding-for-home-repairs/
Laws meant to restrict professors from discussing how race has shaped public policy could target the factual discussion of housing policy and its history—but professors say they don’t intend to go along. Aaron Fernando reads, "Will ‘Critical Race Theory’ Attacks Undermine Urban Planning Education?"
Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/08/16/will-critical-race-theory-attacks-undermine-urban-planning-education/
Laying the groundwork for transportation equity can start with listening to disabled people’s experiences of infrastructure for non-drivers. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/07/13/the-road-to-equity-in-transportation-problems-and-potential-solutions/
With homelessness on the rise, the U.S. shelter system is ill-equipped to accommodate disabled occupants. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/07/19/why-arent-homeless-shelters-accommodating-people-who-have-disabilities/
Not everyone with intellectual and developmental disabilities needs to live in a highly structured group home. Read the full story here:https://shelterforce.org/2023/07/25/developing-housing-that-welcomes-people-with-developmental-disabilities/
Asset caps on Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, and other benefits keep people with disabilities from building up emergency savings and financial security—or buying a home. Lara Heard reads her latest Shelterforce story, "Poor by Design: SSI Asset Caps."
Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/08/02/poor-by-design-ssi-asset-caps/
The Missoula City-County Health Department is working to expand health equity through a full-time government position, five years after a health initiative brought new sidewalks to low-income neighborhoods. Shelterforce's Lara Heard reports on "Where Missoula Built Sidewalks, A Health Equity Focus Followed."
Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/07/18/where-missoula-built-sidewalks-a-health-equity-focus-followed/.
Rising property values come with positive community development, but this shift can make neighborhoods inaccessible to low-income renters and fixed-income homeowners. Peter Sabonis, the director of equitable development at Partners for Dignity & Rights, shares his thoughts on how rising property values are incompatible with affordability.
Read his piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/05/05/the-dirty-little-secret-rising-property-values-are-incompatible-with-affordability/
People with disabilities have the constitutional right to choose community-based care rather than institutionalization, but without enough accessible, affordable units, some are still being forced to live in nursing homes. Shelby R. King reads "How the Housing Shortage Is Forcing People with Disabilities into Institutions." Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/07/05/how-the-housing-shortage-is-forcing-people-with-disabilities-into-institutions/
Accessibility for the challenging disability of multiple chemical sensitivities can look different from other measures—but addressing it could help improve everyone’s health.
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/28/making-housing-more-accessible-for-people-with-multiple-chemical-sensitivities/
Home modifications vary greatly in form and cost, a challenge for disabled residents whose homes aren't accessible to them.
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/22/the-unaffordability-of-accessibility-the-challenge-of-retrofitting-american-homes/
The ways in which buildings are managed after they are built also affects how accessible and inclusive they are. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "Accessible Housing Is Not Just About How Buildings Are Built."
Read the story at: https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/20/accessible-housing-is-not-just-about-how-buildings-are-built/
This article is part of Shelterforce's latest Under the Lens series: Not Just Ramps—Disability and Housing Justice. Check out the series at: https://shelterforce.org/category/not-just-ramps-disability-and-housing-justice/
The Federal Housing Administration may soon allow homeowners to count projected rent toward their qualifying income to build an accessory dwelling unit. While ADU advocates call the change “monumental,” the proposed policy isn’t perfect. Shelby R. King reads, "FHA Changes Could Make ADU Construction More Affordable."
Read the article at https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/23/fha-changes-could-make-adu-construction-more-affordable/
Welcome to Shelterforce’s newest Under the Lens series, Not Just Ramps—Disability and Housing Justice. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute lays out why the connection between disability and affordable housing is so strong, and why it’s so important for housers to understand.
Read the article at
Why should affordable housing projects incorporate a range of accessibility features, going above and beyond code requirements? Isaac Haney-Owens reads, "Cross-Disability Design Makes Housing Better for Everyone," a piece written by Fatimah Aure and Caroline Bas.
This article was featured in Shelterforce's new Under the Lens series: Not Just Ramps—Disability and Housing Justice.
Read the article at https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/13/cross-disability-design-makes-housing-better-for-everyone/
Read the series at https://shelterforce.org/category/not-just-ramps-disability-and-housing-justice/
Activists have been fighting for decades to expand accessible housing for disabled residents. They’ve made progress, but say that current regulations and enforcement don’t go far enough. Meir Rinde reads, "Which U.S. Laws Require Accessibility in Housing—And How Well Do They Do?" This article is part of Shelterforce's latest Under the Lens series: Not Just Ramps—Disability and Housing Justice.
For more, go to shelterforce.org
Tax increment financing attracts development in disinvested areas, but it also diverts millions of tax revenue away from city services to investors. And some claim officials are using the program in racist and corrupt ways. What is TIF? And how does it work?Shelby R. King reads, "Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Revitalization Tool, Developer Handout … or Both?."Read the article at https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/01/tax-increment-financing-tif-revitalization-tool-developer-handout-or-both/
Madison is growing fast and building a lot of housing. But new construction isn’t keeping pace with the need, especially for high-income and extremely low-income earners. Zoe Sullivan reads, "Who Can Afford Housing in Madison, Wisconsin?"Read the Shelterforce story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/05/25/who-can-afford-housing-in-madison-wisconsin/
Getting solid legal protections in place will help tenants stick up for themselves more safely and effectively. Here are recommendations for a comprehensive set of legal reforms that states and cities should adopt to help tenants advocate collectively for fairer treatment and access to safe, affordable homes. Kelly Hogue reads, "Six Steps to Ensuring a Strong Right to Organize for Tenants," a Shelterforce piece she co-wrote with Heather Way.Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/05/04/six-steps-to-ensuring-a-strong-right-to-organize-for-tenants/.
An Ohio land bank adds to its developing power through a community land trust. Marielle Argueza reads, "When a Land Bank Starts a Land Trust," which appears in Shelterforce.Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/05/02/when-a-land-bank-starts-a-land-trust/
NYC's land speculators use LLCs to evade legal responsibility while sitting on vacant property. Josie Faass reads "Land Owned by LLCs More Likely to be Vacant." Read the full story here: land-owned-by-llcs-more-likely-to-be-vacant
The last year and a half has seen much progress for renters in Southern California as cities pass rent control and other tenant protections. Ryan Bell reads, "How We Won Rent Control in Pasadena, California," a piece he wrote for Shelterforce.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/04/21/how-we-won-rent-control-in-pasadena-california/
Newly released data on home appraisal practices is a step forward in the fight against racially biased appraisals. There’s still a long way to go. Ira Goldstein reads, "Appraisal Bias Is the Fair Housing Issue of the Day," a piece he co-wrote with Gregory D. Squires and Anthony Phillips.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/04/06/appraisal-bias-is-the-fair-housing-issue-of-the-day/.
The state underfunded affordable housing for decades, but Colorado voters recently approved $300 million in new annual spending—and more could be coming. Shelby R. King reads "Colorado Passed a Historic Affordable Housing Measure. Is It Enough?"Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/04/18/colorado-passed-a-historic-affordable-housing-measure-is-it-enough/
The audio version of Shelterforce's webinar, Women of Color on the Front Lines, moderated by Schlonn Hawkins, features Munirah El-Bomani, Rosie Grant, Bambie Hayes-Brown, and Jennifer J. Made. See the video at https://shelterforce.org/2023/04/11/women-of-color-on-the-front-lines-a-shelterforce-webinar/
In a racist society, markets cause racist housing outcomes, but nonetheless the influence of land use regulation shouldn't be ignored. Jessica Trounstine reads, "Reforming Zoning in a Racist Market Still Worth It," a piece she wrote for Shelterforce.Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/02/reforming-zoning-in-a-racist-market-still-worth-it/
Renters' rights are fair housing rights. Before publishing a final Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, HUD must specifically address the needs of renters. Here's how. Liz Ryan Murray reads, "Proposed AFFH Rule Doesn’t Address Renters Directly—But It Should," which she co-wrote with Andreina Kniss.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/31/proposed-affh-rule-doesnt-address-renters-directly-but-it-should/.
Reaction to the housing crisis in California has led to a series of gains for tenants, including a new Renters’ Caucus.Kenton Card reads, "Tenants Rights Advance in California," which appears in Shelterforce. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/08/tenants-rights-advance-in-california/
Strict zoning policies help keep housing unaffordable. But there are strategies governments can implement to change exclusionary housing policies and promote the construction of more affordable housing.Gabriella Garriga reads, "Federal and State Dollars Could Be Used to Force Change in Exclusionary Towns," a piece she co-wrote with Luisa Godinez-Puig and Yonah Freemark.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/23/federal-and-state-dollars-could-be-used-to-force-change-in-exclusionary-towns/
Because their programs provide the most deeply affordable housing in the country, public housing authorities should be both supported in improving fair housing outcomes and held to account when they fall short.Natalie N. Maxwell of the National Housing Law Project reads, "Public Housing Must Be a Part of Fair Housing Planning." This opinion piece is part of Shelteforce's new Under the Lens series, "New AFFH Rules: What You Need to Know."Read the full series at https://shelterforce.org/category/new-affh-rules-what-you-need-to-know/
After the population of unhoused people in Bangor increased during the pandemic, the city put forward a series of affordable housing solutions. But the new policies may harm unhoused residents rather than help them.Brian Pitman reads, "Why Bangor's Affordable Housing Policies Won't Address Homelessness." Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/16/why-bangors-affordable-housing-policies-wont-address-homelessness/
Grassroots organizers have used the affirmatively furthering fair housing rule to strengthen communities in the past. These examples show what we should advocate for in a new AFFH rule. PolicyLink's Tram Hoang reads "Three Ways AFFH Has Advanced Housing Justice."Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/21/three-ways-affh-has-advanced-housing-justice/
Avian flu gave companies cover to price gouge. Could the attention to lack of housing supply do the same for landlords?Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads her latest piece, "Egg Prices and Rents—What Do They Have in Common?"Read the full piece at https://shelterforce.org/2023/03/03/egg-prices-and-rents-what-do-they-have-in-common/.
The affirmatively furthering fair housing rule was intended to force communities to take action to address housing segregation and discrimination. How has the rule evolved throughout the years, and will a proposed new rule finally put some teeth into the legal concept?Meir Rinde reads, "AFFH’s Bumpy Road to Overcoming Segregation," which is part of Shelterforce's latest Under the Lens series—New AFFH Rules: What You Need to Know.Read the full series at https://shelterforce.org/category/new-affh-rules-what-you-need-to-know/.
What’s the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing provision? How has it been enforced in the past? And what do fair housing advocates think of the proposed changes? Shelterforce’s latest Under the Lens series—New AFFH Rules: What You Need to Know—explores that and more. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute explains what you can expect.
When a St. Louis-based group convened public housing residents to talk about infant mortality, they discovered a serious housing issue that affected tenants’ health. To the organization’s credit, they didn’t turn away from the problem.Shelby R. King reads, "The Real Reason Why Babies at a St. Louis Public Housing Complex Weren’t Sleeping on Their Own," written by Amanda Abrams.Read the full Shelterforce article at https://shelterforce.org/2023/02/28/the-real-reason-why-babies-at-a-st-louis-public-housing-complex-werent-sleeping-on-their-own/.
In 2016 KeyBank promised to invest $16.5 billion in low- and moderate-income communities. Six years later, the bank is facing allegations that it not only broke its investment promises, but it actually regressed in the share of its lending that goes to Black communities. Listen to "NCRC Claims KeyBank Broke Promises, Failed Black Homeowners," by Meir Rinde.Read the full Shelterforce story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/02/24/ncrc-claims-keybank-broke-promises-failed-black-homeowners/.
Can tenant organizers and YIMBY groups work together, despite differences of priorities, and sometimes even values? Listen to "How to Build a YIMBY/Tenant Activist Bridge," a Shelterforce webinar moderated by Shelby R. King.Speakers include:—Lisa Bates, professor at Portland State University in the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning and in Black Studies—Margot Black, tenants rights organizer, activist, advocate, and founder of Portland Tenants United—Ernest Brown, executive director of Abundant Housing AtlantaLaura Loe, founder of Share the Cities—Alex Schafran, housing consultant for Schafran Strategies—Cea Weaver, campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for AllWatch the video at and read a transcript at https://shelterforce.org/2023/02/16/how-to-build-a-yimby-tenant-activist-bridge-a-shelterforce-webinar/.
Many people are familiar with redlining, but less well known are the handful of cooperatives that sprouted up following WWII with a bold mission: providing integrated, community-owned housing. Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "The Cooperative Struggle Against Redlining," by David Thompson.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2021/08/16/the-cooperative-struggle-against-redlining/
What should we make of the Biden administration’s tenants rights announcement? Miriam Axel-Lute reads "Biden’s Renters Rights Blueprint: Meaningful or Not?" Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2023/02/06/bidens-renter-rights-blueprint-meaningful-or-not/
Requirements to be certified as a community development financial institution (CDFI) will soon change—and some lenders that qualified before might no longer. Meir Rinde reads his latest Shelterforce story, "Major Changes Coming for CDFIs."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/01/12/major-changes-coming-for-cdfis/.For more stories like this, go to Shelterforce.org.
Rent for Moms is a fundraising campaign that sought to help 50 single Black moms retain or obtain housing by Christmas. By the end of 2022, the campaign raised more than $100,000 for moms across the across. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute talks with Didi Delgado, the organizer of the Rent for Moms campaign. Read the interview at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/21/instead-of-toys-organizers-want-you-to-give-rent-money/.For more stories like this, go to Shelterforce.org.
Tenants got to talk directly to the Biden administration about the need to rein in soaring rents. Will action follow? Meir Rinde reads his latest Shelterforce piece, "Tenant Advocates Wait for Action After Meeting with White House Officials."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2023/01/06/tenant-advocates-wait-for-action-after-meeting-with-white-house-official/
Kansas City is one of a small but growing number of cities that guarantees access to counsel for all tenants facing eviction, regardless of income. Organizers say the seeds were planted back in 2019, the year the city passed a tenant bill of rights. Sandra Larsons reads her latest Shelterforce story, "All Tenants Get Right to Counsel in Kansas City."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/12/all-tenants-get-right-to-counsel-in-kansas-city/This article is part of Tenant Power Returns, an Under the Lens series produced by Shelterforce. Check out the full series at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/12/all-tenants-get-right-to-counsel-in-kansas-city/
Access to counsel in evictions is now funded statewide, and several other tenant protections have passed, but the Maryland effort shows that solidifying tenant protections can be a multiyear process. Sandra Larson reads her latest Shelterforce article, "Tenant Protections Take a Step Forward in Maryland." Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/12/tenant-protections-take-a-step-forward-in-maryland/This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Tenant Power Returns. Read more at https://shelterforce.org/category/tenant-power-returns/
Some leases plainly contradict state law or include questionable, punitive, or egregiously anti-tenant clauses. Minhae Shim Roth explores more in "Is Everything in Your Lease Legal? Quite Possibly Not," her latest story for Shelterforce.Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/05/is-everything-in-your-lease-legal-quite-possibly-not/
A culture war between housing justice advocates and YIMBYs began in 2014. While the groups have different priorities, they do have shared interests. Can they be allies or will the habitual quarreling keep them at odds?Shelby R. King reads her latest Shelterforce article, "Is a YIMBY/Tenant Activist Bridge Possible?"Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/06/is-a-yimby-tenant-activist-bridge-possible/
Responding to tenants’ top concerns, organizers in Miami-Dade County pivoted from affordability issues to landlord accountability and won a package of new tenant protections. Here’s how they did it.Sandra Larson reads her latest Shelterforce article, "How Organizers Won a Tenants Bill of Rights in Miami-Dade County."Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/12/06/how-organizers-won-a-tenants-bill-of-rights-in-miami-dade-county/.
Landlord-tenant relations are governed by a mix of laws at all levels of government and can vary a lot. We’ll walk you through the sorts of things that get decided at the local, state, and federal levels, and how you can learn more. Minhae Shim Roth reads, "What Are Your Landlord’s Legal Obligations? Depends on Where You Live."
Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/11/29/what-are-your-landlords-legal-obligations-depends-on-where-you-live/.
Organizers drew broad support with a multi-pronged campaign and found ways to get signatures in a pandemic to win rent stabilization and a slate of other progressive laws. Sandra Larson reads "How Portand, Maine, Passed Rent Control."
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/11/28/how-portland-maine-passed-rent-control/
The National Tenant Union fought for tenant rights in the late 1970s and early 1980s. John Atlas, a founder of Shelterforce and the National Tenant Union, reflects on the organizations’ stories and what we might learn from those times.
Read the story at
After a lull in the 1990s, the tenants rights movement reemerged and has only gained strength. What caused the resurgence and what do tenants’ prospects look like? Shelby R. King, Shelterforce's investigative reporter, reads, "Organized Tenants Are Baaaaack."
This article is part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Tenant Power Returns.
In "Tenant Power Returns," Shelterforce examines how the energy and focus in the housing world is returning to tenant organizing.
Tenant advocates have long pushed for a “tenants bill of rights.” Here’s are the top protections housing justice activists are fighting for. Shelby R. King reads, "Tenant Protections 101," which appears in Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Tenant Power Returns.
Yes in My Back Yard activists started with a simple—and some would say simplistic—argument: to solve the nation’s housing crisis we just need to build more housing, of any type and in as many places as possible. But as the movement nears a decade of existence, some of its members argue that their message has become more nuanced. Shelby R. King, Shelterforce's investigative reporter, reads "Have the YIMBYs Evolved?"
Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/11/04/have-the-yimbys-evolved/
Homeowners at threat of losing their homes to foreclosure have a potential lifeline in the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund, a nearly $10 billion program created as part of the American Rescue Plan last year. But funds are not getting to homeowners in time.
Meir Rinde, Shelterforce's policy fellow, takes a closer look in "Homeowners Seeking Foreclosure Assistance Face Delays and Confusion in Many States."
Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/11/03/homeowners-seeking-foreclosure-assistance-face-delays-and-confusion-in-many-states/
Two years ago, Philadelphia officials agreed to give 59 vacant buildings to homeless advocates. Meir Rinde, Shelterforce's policy fellow, follows up with the historic deal in "New Philly Land Trust Was Promised Dozens of Homes; How's It Going?"
Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/10/25/new-philly-land-trust-was-promised-dozens-of-homes-hows-it-going/
As more and more affordable homes are gobbled up by corporate landlords, prospective Black homebuyers are seeing opportunities for homeownership dry up. Reggie Jackson reads "Corporate Landlords Profit from Segregation, at Cost of Black Homeownership and Wealth," which he co-wrote with Bo McMillan.
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/10/11/corporate-landlo…rship-and-wealth/
Co-op City in the Bronx is the size of a small city—as well as a decades-old housing co-op and an island of comparative affordability. How did it come about? Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute sits down with Annemarie Sammartino, author of Freedomland: Co-op City and the Story of New York, which traces the history of Co-op City from its initial planning stages in the mid 1960s through the early 1990s.
Over the past couple of years, community development corporations have been popping up in sometimes-unexpected places across the country. Will this increased interest in CDCs last, or is it a trend that will end when the money runs out? Shelby R. King reads, "CDCs Are Having a Moment. Can the Momentum Last?"
Read the full story on Shelterforce's website: https://shelterforce.org/2022/10/07/cdcs-are-having-a-moment-can-the-momentum-last/
Residents of two LIHTC developments in Northern Virginia were informed that their rent would be increasing in 30 days, even if their leases weren’t ending for months. Is this part of a larger problem? Brandon Duong reads, "Mid-Lease Rent Hikes Surprise Affordable Housing Tenants."
New research shows that smaller community-based development organizations in particular are hanging on but facing financial challenges. Miriam Axel-Lute reads her Shelterforce article, "Community Development Field Is Resilient, But on the Edge."
Read the full article at
A Trump-era policy that actually helped poor people could be dismantled by the IRS. Meir Rinde reads his Shelterforce article, "Income Averaging Allowed LIHTC Housing to Reach More People—Will It Last?"
Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/09/27/income-averaging-allowed-lihtc-housing-to-reach-more-people-will-it-last/
To meaningfully evaluate real estate-related companies, organizations that evaluate impact investment standards must address tenant experiences. Shelby R. King reads, "ESG … and T? Tenant Protections Fly Under the Impact Investing Radar."
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/09/23/esg-and-t-tenant-protections-fly-under-the-impact-investing-radar/
Are policy changes enough to address the housing problems we face? Alex Schafran, a visiting scholar at the Institute for Metropolitan Studies at San José State University, explains more in "How to Retrofit the Housing Economy."
Read the full piece here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/30/how-to-retrofit-the-housing-economy/
This piece was part of Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Homes or Cash Cows. Check out the entire series here: https://shelterforce.org/category/homes-or-cash-cows/
There are many ways in which the housing market is tilted toward financial firms, but there are efforts underway from local, state, and federal governments (and even tenants and homeowners) that aim to level out the playing field. Corey McDonald reports, "Hands Off the Houses: Can we Stop Speculative Land Grabs."
This piece appears in Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Homes or Cash Cows. See the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/30/hands-off-the-houses-can-we-stop-speculative-land-grabs/
Find the entire series here: https://shelterforce.org/category/homes-or-cash-cows/
A coalition of more than 220 tenant unions, community organizations, and legal advocates argues that there are precedents supporting the legality of federal rent regulation. Meir Rinde reads, "Biden Has Power to Impose Rent Control, Say Housing Advocates."
Find the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/09/01/biden-has-power-to-impose-rent-control-say-housing-advocates/
Historically Black communities in Seattle and D.C. have seen major decreases in Black residents over the years as gentrification becomes more pronounced. Shelterforce's Brandon Duong sits down with Carlynn Newhouse, a spoken word artist, to discuss her latest poem on gentrification in the two cities.
Read the interview here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/09/07/my-citys-so-white-i-moved-gentrification-poem/
Why should owners of buildings in illegally poor repair be able to buy more rentals? As Washington, D.C., found, it’s not the easiest thing to prevent. Miles Howard reads his Shelterforce article, "Can We Prevent Slumlords From Buying More Buildings?"
Read the full story: https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/29/can-we-prevent-slumlords-from-buying-more-buildings/
This article is part of Homes or Cash Cows, an Under the Lens series. Read the entire series at https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
Experts on housing law discuss the potential repercussions of a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down the EPA’s authority in limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Could conservative judges apply the same rationale to limit HUD's authority? Meir Rinde, Shelterforce's policy fellow, reads: "Could This Supreme Court Ruling Affect Fair Housing?"
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/25/could-this-supreme-court-ruling-affect-fair-housing/
It’s difficult to know who owns a property because corporate landlords and investors tend to structure their business as limited liability companies, or LLCs. This type of hidden ownership is linked to deteriorating housing and a lack of accountability. Brian Mykulyn reads, "When Landlords Hide Behind LLCs," a piece he co-wrote with Elora Raymond for Shelterforce's series, Homes or Cash Cows.
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/23/when-landlords-hide-behind-llcs/
Check out the series here: https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
There’s a reason land ownership is a matter of public record—but at the moment the records we have aren’t actually doing the job. "Unmasking the Property Owners," is written by Andrew Jakabovics and appears in Shelterforce's Under the Lens series, Homes or Cash Cows?
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/22/public-land-records-public-purpose-and-public-policy/
Check out the series here: https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
When wealthy investors treat homes like poker chips, it is the tenants who end up paying the most. How do we interrupt the vicious cycle of speculation and displacement? "Breaking NYC’s Housing Speculation Cycle" by Alex Williamson is part of Shelterforce's series, Homes or Cash Cows?
Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3PwEYGb Read the series here: https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
If high home prices and rents are hallmarks of inequality, the actions of the Federal Reserve should give us pause. Its policy interventions have had profound effects on housing prices. "How the Federal Reserve’s Monetary Policy Drives Housing Inequality" by Nico Calavita is part of Shelterforce's series, Homes or Cash Cows?
Read the full piece here: https://bit.ly/3zY4U7I Check out the entire series here: https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
Over the last two decades homeowners and investors have increasingly treated housing as a financial asset, like stocks or bonds. How has this changed the housing market for the worse, and how can we fix it?
Benjamin Teresa reads his Shelterforce article, "The Financialization of Housing and Its Implications for Community Development." This piece is part of our recent Under the Lens series—Homes or Cash Cows? Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/08/09/the-financialization-of-housing-and-its-implications-for-community-development/
See the complete series here: https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
Housing has become less about shelter and more about extracting ever more profit. How has that way of thinking changed the market and what are housing advocates trying to do about it? Miriam Axel-Lute talks about Shelterforce's new Under the Lens series, Homes or Cash Cows?
Read the full editor's note here: https://bit.ly/3deE4QV
For the complete series, go to: https://bit.ly/HomesorCashCows
"Fair market rents" are set by HUD and used to determine how much federal assistance programs will pay toward rent. But with soaring inflation, rapidly increasing rental costs, and widespread housing shortages, they're not keeping up. Shelterforce's Meir Rinde reads his report, "Unfair Market Rents: How Inflation is Skewing FMRs."
Find the full article here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/07/29/unfair-market-rents-how-inflation-is-skewing-fmrs/
Public comment is open through Aug. 5 on proposed Community Reinvestment Act rule changes. They are worlds better than the Trump-era proposal. Why are some advocates still disappointed?
Shelterforce's Meir Rinde reads, "CRA Rule Receives Mixed Reviews from Housers."
When landlords name minor children in eviction filings, the negative effects could haunt them years later. Shelby R. King reads "Minor Defendants: Kids Are Being Named in Evictions."
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2021/11/11/minor-defendants-kids-are-being-named-in-evictions/
President Biden’s Housing Supply Action Plan is a catchall of existing proposals, tiny tweaks, and things Congress would have to fund—plus a few genuinely interesting administrative moves. Here’s the rundown.
Meir Rinde, Shelterforce's policy fellow, reads "Something Old, Something New: Biden's Housing Plan."
Two years after the pandemic began, community development organizations reflect on what’s changed and how they’re moving forward. Some are still in crisis mode; others are refocusing their work. Amanda Abrams reads, "A New ‘Normal’: Nonprofits and the Next Phase of COVID."
Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2022/06/22/a-new-normal-nonprofits-and-the-next-phase-of-covid/
As COVID relief funds have flowed out across the country, state and local governments have so far allotted at least $12 billion of their discretionary dollars to housing efforts. Meir Rinde reads, "COVID Relief Funds Filling Some Housing Budget Gaps."
Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/06/08/covid-relief-funds-filling-some-housing-budget-gaps/
A medical complex in Mississippi draws on local artists to go beyond doctors' offices and become a gathering place for those living nearby. Brandon Duong reads, "From an Abandoned Mall to a Bustling Community Hub."
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2021/12/07/from-an-abandoned-mall-to-bustling-community-hub/
A major for-profit affordable housing provider hasn’t evicted a single tenant since early 2020. How did the company do it, and can its method be a model for other developers? Shelby R. King reads, "How One of Boston's Top Evictors Changed Its Ways."
Shelterforce's Brandon Duong talks with Douglas Farrand and Margaux Simmons, two of the lead organizers for the Music City program in Orange, New Jersey, a grassroots asset-based community development initiative that uses music-making as a tool for connection, civic engagement, and creative placekeeping.
Farrand and Simmons explain how “creative placekeeping” finds its strength in the relationships within the community.
While accessory dwelling units are a valuable tool to add more rental housing, they also come with limitations. Shelby R. King reads, "Why ADUs Can't Solve the Nation's Housing Crisis," the final article in a six-part series about accessory dwelling units.
Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are typically regulated at the local level, but advocates argue statewide legislation is what’s actually needed to get to scale. California has been aggressively leading the way. Shelby R. King reads "Going Statewide to Boost ADU Development," the fifth installment in a six-part series about accessory dwelling units.
Read more at: https://bit.ly/ADUsExplained
In the face of limited financing options, local governments, nonprofits, and social enterprises are experimenting with ways to make affordable ADUs a reality. Shelby R. King reads, "Affordable ADUs: How It’s Being Done," the fourth installment in a series of articles about accessory dwelling units.
Most homeowners have neither the capital nor the credit for ADU construction. If financing doesn’t change, ADUs will stay niche. Shelby R. King reads, "How Financing Barriers Keep ADUs Expensive," the third part in a series of articles about accessory dwelling units.
The Build Back Better plan would have made huge new investments in housing. But most of what the plan promised isn’t going to happen. Would any housing plan have a chance of making it through Congress? Meir Rinde, Shelterforce's policy fellow, reads "Whatever Happened to Those Proposed Investments in Housing?"
Accessory dwelling units are being touted as a way to provide more affordable rental units for tenants, and additional monthly income for homeowners. But some cities allow them, others don’t. So what are ADUs exactly? Shelby R. King reads "ADUs: Defined, Disambiguated, and Debated," the first in a six-part series.
Shelterforce takes a deep dive into all-things accessory dwelling units in its recent series: ADUs Explained. See more from the series here: https://shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/
As ADUs gain national attention, cities are searching for the best ways to legalize their development and encourage construction. Shelby R. King reads "ADUs: Laws and Uses, Do’s and Don’ts," the second in a six-part series.
Shelterforce takes a deep dive into all-things accessory dwelling units in its recent series: ADUs Explained. Read more from the series here: shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/
Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute talks about our new series: ADUs Explained. Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a look at some of the major policy considerations in legalizing accessory dwelling units, how they get built and financed, and the role they can play in our affordable housing landscape.
Read more from the series here: shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/
Agencies are required to set aside a percentage of their HOME grants for projects led by community housing development organizations. But changes HUD implemented in 2013 have made it harder for nonprofits to receive those funds. Shelterforce's policy fellow Meir Rinde takes a closer look.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program has helped create more than 3 million affordable homes units across the country. But if something isn’t done soon, thousands of those homes could be lost forever as affordability periods expire.
Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/04/07/what-can-be-done-when-lihtc-affordability-restrictions-expire/
The story of East Palo Alto’s incorporation is one marked by great contention among local stakeholders, but also provides valuable lessons for organizers in forging and mobilizing local coalitions.
Elizabeth Sheedy reads, "How Rent Control Help Create East Palo Alto," which was written by David Skidmore. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/22/the-nexus-between-rent-control-and-incorporation-in-east-palo-alto/
Programs to help households of color buy homes have struggled to make a dent in the racial wealth gap. Some programs and initiatives are trying to think differently about how to approach the process to generate better outcomes for the buyers they serve.
"Making Homeownership Work Better," was written by Brittany Hutson and Miriam Axel-Lute. The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions.
Read the article at: The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions.
Read the full article at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/15/rethinking-homeownership-incentives-to-shrink-the-racial-wealth-gap/
This set of federal tax policy recommendations could support first-time homebuyers, enable renters and owners to save money, and help close the wealth gap.
"Rethinking Homeownership Incentives to Shrink the Racial Wealth Gap," was written by Jenny Schuetz. The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions.
Read the full article at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/15/rethinking-homeownership-incentives-to-shrink-the-racial-wealth-gap/
Expanding access to the housing market is unlikely to do much to close the racial wealth gap. Here’s why.
"Blaming Redlining Is Too Easy," was written by David Imbroscio. The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full piece at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/01/housing-racism-and-the-racial-wealth-gap/
Disproportionate amounts of medical debt contribute to the racial wealth gap. What can be done?
"The Long Road to Recovery From Medical Debt," was written by Nicole Martinez for Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/15/the-long-road-to-recovery-from-medical-debt/
The dual financial system affects not only Black and Brown consumers, but Black- and Brown-led firms. In the past two years, CDFIs have focused on shifting access to capital for developers in particular.
"Credit Where Credit Is Due: Expanding Access to Capital for BIPOC Developers," was written by Nisha Mistry for Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/22/credit-where-credit-is-due-expanding-access-to-capital-for-bipoc-developers/
We review Dorothy A. Brown’s book, "The Whiteness of Wealth," which breaks down the deleterious effect our tax code has had on Black lives.
"The Racial Wealth Gap Begins With Our Tax Code" was written by Keli A. Tianga for Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full review here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/08/the-racial-wealth-gap-begins-with-our-tax-code/
Despite the hopes pinned on it, homeownership is currently too affected by racism at every turn to be an equalizer. Miriam Axel-Lute reads "Increased Homeownership Won't Close the Racial Wealth Gap," an article she wrote for Shelterforce.
Read more at shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
A new video game called Dot's Home aims to educate players on the various housing barriers facing Black Americans through history. How well does it do that? Brandon Duong reads, "Dot's Home, a Computer Game, Addresses History of Housing Discrimination," a review for Shelterforce.
Read the full review here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/10/new-computer-home-addresses-history-of-housing-discrimination/
If Congress gave the Housing Choice Voucher program enough money to serve every income-eligible applicant, what other reforms would be needed so every voucher recipient could find a decent home in a suitable area? Shelby R. King reads her Shelterforce article, "How to Make Universal Vouchers Actually Work."
Read the full article at: https://shelterforce.org/2021/10/15/how-to-make-universal-vouchers-actually-work/
President Biden promised to expand the Housing Choice Voucher program so that everyone who qualifies for a voucher gets one. What exactly would that change entail, and how long could it be before we see it happen? Shelby R. King reads her Shelterforce piece, "Universal Housing Vouchers: A Promise or a Pipe Dream?"
Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2021/08/19/universal-housing-vouchers-a-promise-or-a-pipe-dream/
Heather Way reads, "Disparities in Access to Property Tax Relief Programs." This piece is part of the Shelterforce series, "The Racial Wealth Gap: Building Moving to Systemic Solutions."
Read more at shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Dan Reed reads, "A Home's True Worth—Getting Beyond Appraisal Bias," an article he reported on for Shelterforce.
This article is part of The Racial Wealth Gap—Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full set of articles at https://shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Shelby R. King reads, "The Post-Protest Pledges: Banks’ Racial Equity Initiatives." This piece is part of the Shelterforce series, "The Racial Wealth Gap: Building Moving to Systemic Solutions."
Read more at shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Rather than rely on expanding Section 8 vouchers, some affordable housing and tenant advocates argue the federal government should invest heavily in addressing the affordable housing shortage at its root. Shelby R. King reads her Shelterforce article, "What if Vouchers Aren't the (Only) Answer?"
Read the full article at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/18/what-if-vouchers-arent-the-only-answer/
Minhae Shim Roth reads, "The Debt Trap: How Court Debt Widens the Racial Wealth Gap," an article she wrote for Shelterforce. This piece is part of the Shelterforce series, "The Racial Wealth Gap: Building Moving to Systemic Solutions."
Read more at https://shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Shelterforce's Brandon Duong reads, "The Role Student Debt Plays in the Racial Wealth Gap." The article is part of the Shelterforce series, "The Racial Wealth Gap: Building Moving to Systemic Solutions." https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/15/the-role-student-debt-plays-in-the-racial-wealth-gap/
Read more from the series here: https://shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Anne Price reads "Doing 'The Right Thing' Won’t Close the Racial Wealth Gap," an article she wrote for Shelterforce. The piece is part of the Shelterforce series, "The Racial Wealth Gap: Building Moving to Systemic Solutions."
Read more at https://shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Kendra Bozarth reads, "Wealth Building Won’t Work While Wealth Extraction Continues," by Jeremie Greer. (https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/14/wealth-building-wont-work-while-wealth-extraction-continues/) Greer is co-founder and co-executive director of Liberation in a Generation. Bozarth is the communications director for the organization.
This article was published in Shelterforce and is part of the series: The Racial Wealth Gap—Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read more at https://shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/
Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "Moving Beyond the Holy Trinity of Racial Wealth Gap Answers." This editor's note is part of the Shelterforce series, "The Racial Wealth Gap: Building Moving to Systemic Solutions." (https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/07/moving-beyond-the-holy-trinity-of-racial-wealth-gap-answers/)
Read more at https://shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/