Explore

Rapid Read Rapid Read
Tenant Unions in Montana Mobilize Against Rising Rents and Landlord Practices

Tenant Unions in Montana Mobilize Against Rising Rents and Landlord Practices

Tenant unions in Missoula and Bozeman, Montana, are gaining momentum as they organize against rising rents and landlord practices. These unions have successfully negotiated rent caps and other concessions from landlords, particularly in mobile home parks. The movement is driven by increasing housing costs, stagnant wages, and a lack of affordable housing options. The unions aim to expand their influence by advocating for tenant rights at the state legislature and collaborating with national tenant organizations.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Bangor Planning Board Faces Delays in 55-Unit Dormitory Project

Bangor Planning Board Faces Delays in 55-Unit Dormitory Project

The Bangor Planning Board approved a land development permit in 2024 for a 55-unit co-living dormitory at 416 Stillwater Ave. in Bangor, Maine. Despite the approval, construction has not commenced, leaving the lot empty. The project, managed by Sean Thies of Haley Ward, was intended to provide short-term housing for Bangor's transient workforce, including travel nurses and individuals without permanent housing. However, escalating construction costs and staffing challenges have delayed the project. The developer must reapply for permits as Bangor requires construction to begin within a year of approval. The delay highlights the complexities of housing development, where local permits do not guarantee project completion.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
London Residents Endure Water Shortages Amid Development Disputes

London Residents Endure Water Shortages Amid Development Disputes

Residents in Tower Hamlets, London, have been without regular running water for over seven months, allegedly due to nearby development projects. The housing association Poplar Harca has delayed addressing the issue, leaving hundreds of families without adequate water supply. Residents have resorted to using bottled water and public facilities for basic needs. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing heatwaves, and there is growing frustration over the lack of a timely resolution. Poplar Harca attributes the problem to fluctuating water pressure and is working with Thames Water to find a solution.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Grand Forks School Board Approves Ray Richards Golf Course Development PILOT

Grand Forks School Board Approves Ray Richards Golf Course Development PILOT

The Grand Forks School Board has approved a tax incentive for a proposed development project at Ray Richards Golf Course. The board voted 5-4 in favor of advancing the project, which involves a 90%, 20-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to develop 169 high-end apartments and a Topgolf-like driving range. The project is located in western Grand Forks and is owned by the University of North Dakota. The approval is the first of three required, with the Grand Forks City Council and County Commission also needing to approve the incentive. The PILOT agreement will be reviewed at the 10- and 15-year marks. The decision was made after a public comment period where seven people shared their views, with mixed opinions on the project.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Charlotte Affordable Housing Conference 2026 Addresses Housing Challenges

Charlotte Affordable Housing Conference 2026 Addresses Housing Challenges

The Charlotte Affordable Housing Conference 2026 is set to address the ongoing challenges in the housing market, including rising construction costs and tight capital availability. The conference will bring together developers, investors, architects, and public sector partners to discuss strategies for overcoming feasibility challenges and approval timelines. The event aims to explore innovative approaches to housing development, focusing on pre-development strategy and execution processes. Discussions will highlight how stakeholders can align capital, design, development, and public-sector processes to advance housing production in Charlotte.
Trendline Trendline
Connecticut Family Builds 'Granny-Pod' for Elderly Parents Amid Housing Challenges

Connecticut Family Builds 'Granny-Pod' for Elderly Parents Amid Housing Challenges

Connecticut Family Builds 'Granny-Pod' for Elderly Parents Amid Housing Challenges
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Orange Mobile Rent Control Board Approves $28 Monthly Rent Increase for Leisure Woods Estates

Orange Mobile Rent Control Board Approves $28 Monthly Rent Increase for Leisure Woods Estates

The Orange Mobile Rent Control Board has approved a $28.54 monthly rent increase for tenants at Leisure Woods Estates, a mobile home park in Orange. This decision follows a court order to reconsider budget expenses requested by the park's owners. The board had previously approved a $102 monthly rent increase in 2024, which was to be implemented over two years. The recent decision allows for an additional payroll increase of $50,000, but excludes a $40,000 depreciation value and an additional $20,000 salary request. The Appeals Court is still reviewing a request from Leisure Woods Estates Inc. to charge tenants increased rent retroactive to January 2024. The board's decision comes amid ongoing frustration from residents who have not received clear explanations from the park owners regarding financial operations.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Rhode Island's 'Taylor Swift Tax' Aims to Address Housing Shortages

Rhode Island's 'Taylor Swift Tax' Aims to Address Housing Shortages

Rhode Island has enacted a new property tax, colloquially known as the 'Taylor Swift Tax', targeting high-end vacation homes that are often left vacant. The tax imposes a surcharge on properties not occupied for more than half the year, with the revenue intended to support housing affordability initiatives. The tax is named after pop star Taylor Swift, who owns a mansion in the state. Officials in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, are considering a similar measure to address local housing shortages, as rising property values have made it difficult for year-round residents to afford homes.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
California Housing Crisis Exposed: First-Time Homebuyers Delayed Until Late 40s

California Housing Crisis Exposed: First-Time Homebuyers Delayed Until Late 40s

A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California reveals that Californians are now waiting until their late 40s to purchase their first homes, significantly later than the national average of 37 years. The study highlights that renters in their 30s and 40s outnumber homeowners in the state, with the homeownership rate at 56%, lower than the national rate of 66%. The report also notes disparities in homeownership among different racial groups, with white and Asian residents buying homes earlier than Black and Latino residents. Education is a factor, as those with bachelor's degrees tend to own homes sooner.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Las Vegas Heat Wave Exacerbates Housing Crisis for Vulnerable Residents

Las Vegas Heat Wave Exacerbates Housing Crisis for Vulnerable Residents

In Las Vegas, a severe heat wave is compounding the challenges faced by residents like Susie Tyson and her daughter Shelby, who were recently evicted from their long-term apartment. The eviction, due to alleged lease violations, has left them struggling to find stable housing amid soaring temperatures. The heat wave, with temperatures reaching 108 degrees, poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those without stable housing. The Tysons' situation highlights the broader issue of housing insecurity exacerbated by extreme weather conditions.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Chicago's Building Code Reforms Spur Growth in Five-Story Developments

Chicago's Building Code Reforms Spur Growth in Five-Story Developments

Chicago has witnessed a significant increase in the construction of five-story buildings following the implementation of the 2019 building code reforms. These reforms allowed developers to use Type III construction for five-story buildings, a method previously limited to four stories. Type III construction, which is noncombustible on the exterior but allows for wood or less flame-resistant metal framing inside, is more cost-effective than the fully noncombustible Type I construction. This change has made it financially viable for developers to build more five-story structures, leading to a more than 100% increase in such developments. The Connected Communities Ordinance of 2022, which reduced parking requirements in higher-density residential zones, also contributed to this trend by allowing more flexibility in building design and location.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Utah Reports Decline in Homelessness Across All Regions in 2026

Utah Reports Decline in Homelessness Across All Regions in 2026

Utah has reported a decrease in homelessness across all three of its Continuums of Care regions in 2026. The Point-in-Time Count revealed that over 4,500 Utahns were experiencing homelessness, marking a 1.6% decrease from the previous year. This is the first year-over-year decline since 2019. Chronic homelessness fell by 6.7%, and unsheltered homelessness dropped by nearly 10%. The Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness saw a small decrease of 24 individuals, while the Mountainland Continuum of Care experienced a 15% reduction. The Balance of State Continuum of Care reported a slight decrease as well. Statewide emergency shelter utilization decreased from 84% to 74%, despite an increase in available beds. Permanent supportive housing utilization rose, while other permanent housing saw a slight decrease. Rapid rehousing beds remain at full capacity, and transitional housing utilization increased slightly.