Reforming NYC’s Tax System To Protect Affordable Housing
This is a story about a change in regulations that hasn't got a lot of attention in the mainstream media. The change should make a big difference for people...
Receivership: A Tool That Could Serve Communities Better?
In Chicago, property owners are responsible to maintain their properties in liveable condition. When a building develops a leaky roof or its foundation is damaged, or the plumbing backs...
Social Housing Architecture Apostles: Why Nix It When You Can Fix It?
Do you remember Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal, who in 2021 won what's considered to be the 'Nobel Prize For Architecture' — the 2021 Pritzker PrizeTry: Public Housing, “Reverence...
A Tour Of Social Housing Revival In North America
The demolitions of Cabrini Green in Chicago and Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis, two very large public housing projects, reflect decisions made by people who had never lived there. Some...
Cork, Ireland Activists Skewer Council For Passing Empty-Home Buck
A story follows, which is dear to affordablehousingaction.org hearts, because we made a wrong call on a similar problem that played out in Oakland, California. That was a year...
A Vancouver Housing Example: How Government “Hands Off” Doesn’t Work
There is persistent advocacy in many countries that is fuelled by housing development interests. It can be summed up by the idea of "just build more."
In The U.S. there...
Public Housing, “Reverence For Pre-Existing Structures” Captures Architecture’s Top Prize
World-wide, it might seem that there are few opportunities to bring meaningful architectural design to the budget constraints of public housing construction. Certainly this lament can often be found...
Empty Housing Not Just A Waste Of Shelter But Also A Community Disease
Empty houses plague not only cities, but the countryside. Some are empty because speculators are holding them for a quick turnover in a hot housing market.Try: City Of Vancouver...
Columbus, OH, Teeters, Then Topples: Housing For The Poorest . . . Or Federal Funding?
That there is a 'need' for housing across the American nation is largely self-evident. Housing developers would be heading out of business otherwise, and the largest of them at...
Repairs R Us: Habitat For Humanity Diversifies Onward
In the free markets of today's democracies, housing is an investment, not a human right. To build housing in this commodified environment is to pursue profit, not to reaffirm...
Your Affordable Home Is Falling Down. Sorry, It Can’t Be Fixed. You Have To Move. Not.
"But where will we go?"
Scanning affordable housing stories worldwide, an article reports some unfortunate locale were residents are being evicted from social or public housing practically every day.
Four constant...
Sweden Sniffs At Co-Living For Affordable Housing: Social Blessing Or Social Disaster?
With housing becoming increasingly unaffordable, ingenious ways of reducing shelter costs abound. One trending fad featuring in the news media: co-living.
A boon? A bust? There are two sides to...
Affordable Housing In Trailer Parks? ROCk On, America!
These days, a flood of buy-and-destroy developers as well as vulture rental packagers threaten the existence of a longstanding North American affordable housing institution — the trailer park.
Trailer parks...
Supercharged By Boondoggle? Affordable Housing Via The Green New Deal
America faces a bugle call to arms on many fronts such as immigration and terrorism. The call for affordable housing, for all that it is a matter of pressing...
Protecting Vancouver’s Affordable Renting: Some Alternatives
Two important factors are influencing rental housing in cities across North America.
The 'millennial' age group is now facing the lifetime challenge of finding employment and shelter. The average millennial...
If You Build It, Affordability Doesn’t Come. Charlotte, NC, Tries Old Anew
Just build more housing, any housing, even luxury housing. Affordability will trickle down. You'll see! It's the mantra of the building industry as well as the YIMBY (Yes In...
Capitalists Can’t Afford To Care. Boston Wants More Housing Controlled By Those Who Do
Capitalist democracies are committed to the right of all to speculate in a free housing market. But profit-taking is currently driving up housing prices beyond the reach of growing...
Chicago Low Income Housing Owners Supported By A Financial Institution That Cares
Can low-income individuals and families actually own housing, rather then simply renting a home?
For a lengthy honeymoon period leading up the the 2008 'Great Recession' low-income Americans were invited...
Canada’s NICE May Need A Naughtier Affordable Housing Project
In the spirit of its 'NICE' acronym, Canada's National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly is embarking on an admirable and extremely ambitious affordable housing initiative. The charitable...
Ply Gem Attacks The Affordable Housing Crisis One Door And Window At A Time
Ply Gem? A small town in Wales, we guessed when we first saw the name.
Nope. It's a manufacturer and supplier of exterior housing materials based in Wake, North Carolina....
Why Urban Renewal Vision Needs Bifocals
Focusing on progress and urban renewal is vital for the ever-changing nature of a city. Yesterday's housing, retail, business and industrial needs have given momentary shape to a dynamic...
Affordable Housing: Less Is More In Baltimore
Many private/public partnerships to build affordable housing do not pass the smell test with their handfuls of affordable houses or apartments in projects numbering hundreds of market rate or...
NYCHA 25 Billion Repair Estimate: Bad Management Or Weird Flaw Of Human Nature?
What is it about social housing that attracts neglect? Building Management 101 says "put enough money aside for repairs, and for eventual replacement." Notwithstanding this, New York City Housing...
