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Governor Sherrill Announces Initiative to Build Affordable Housing on State-Owned Land in Camden and Atlantic City

Governor Sherrill Announces Initiative to Build Affordable Housing on State-Owned Land in Camden and Atlantic City

Governor Mikie Sherrill has announced plans to construct affordable housing units on state-owned land in Camden and Atlantic City. This initiative aims to address the need for more accessible housing options in these New Jersey cities. The announcement was made by Governor Sherrill, with details provided by KYW Newsradio South Jersey reporter Mike Dougherty. The specific parcels of state-owned land targeted for these developments have not been fully detailed, but the focus is clearly on utilizing existing public assets to alleviate housing shortages. This move signifies a direct governmental effort to intervene in the housing market to create more affordable living spaces for residents in key urban areas.

Augusta Breaks Ground on 'The Riverlands' Permanent Housing Project

Augusta Breaks Ground on 'The Riverlands' Permanent Housing Project

Augusta, Maine, has initiated the construction of 'The Riverlands,' a permanent housing project designed to assist vulnerable populations and address homelessness in the state. This groundbreaking ceremony marks the first permanent housing development under Governor Janet Mills' 'Home for Good' initiative, which was launched in 2023. 'The Riverlands' will feature private apartments, a community room, a kitchen, and dedicated space for service providers. Augusta Mayor Mark O’Brien emphasized that while this project may not be a universal solution, it will significantly benefit its participants and contribute to the success of the entire community. Similar 'Home for Good' developments are slated to begin in Portland, Auburn, Bangor, Sanford, and South Portland over the next year.

Governor Sherrill Outlines Ambitious Housing Agenda for New Jersey

Governor Sherrill Outlines Ambitious Housing Agenda for New Jersey

Governor Mikie Sherrill has unveiled a comprehensive housing agenda for New Jersey, aiming to accelerate housing production and expand access to affordable homes across the state. During a major address at the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development, Sherrill announced the formation of the Housing Governing Council through Executive Order No. 17. This council is tasked with streamlining housing development, coordinating public resources, and increasing housing accessibility. A report from the Housing Governing Council indicates that New Jersey needs to construct between 350,500 and 406,500 new homes over the next decade to address the current housing supply gap, accommodate new households, and support economic growth. The Governor emphasized the need to boost home construction, particularly in areas near transit and through the redevelopment of vacant properties. Her agenda includes doubling housing production on state-owned land, increasing state investment in affordable and workforce ho...

KTGY, The Pinkard Group, and Akridge Top Off Alexandria Office-to-Residential Conversion

KTGY, The Pinkard Group, and Akridge Top Off Alexandria Office-to-Residential Conversion

KTGY, an award-winning national design firm, along with developers The Pinkard Group and Akridge, has announced the topping off of 1201 E. Abingdon Drive in Alexandria, Virginia. This project involves the adaptive reuse of a vacant 1980s office building, transforming it into a 143-unit multifamily community. The development is located in the Old Town North neighborhood, offering convenient access to the Potomac River waterfront and downtown Washington, D.C. The 95,000 sq. ft. Class A office building is being converted into elegant apartment homes, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. The design, refined in collaboration with the City of Alexandria’s planning board, includes converting the existing penthouse into residential units and amenity spaces, and adding a new wing to create a U-shaped configuration with an urban courtyard. The project is expected to be completed in Summer 2027.

USPS to Install Cameras in Mail Carrier Trucks for Community Safety Pilot Program

USPS to Install Cameras in Mail Carrier Trucks for Community Safety Pilot Program

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is initiating a pilot program to equip mail carrier trucks with cameras that will continuously scan roads and signs, map roadways and sidewalks, and aim to enhance 'community safety.' This initiative, confirmed by a letter posted by a labor union and a statement from the agency to 404 Media, leverages the extensive travel of postal vehicles to collect valuable data. The pilot program, which began on September 21 and is expected to last several months, involves installing these cameras in 100 vehicles operating in the Washington, D.C. area. The USPS is partnering with Next Base, a dashcam company, for this project. The cameras will be forward-facing, installed inside the trucks, and will start recording when the vehicle is in drive and away from the postal facility. The USPS has stated that the cameras will not obstruct the vehicle operator's field of vision and will not record audio. Existing USPS trucks already feature 360-degree cameras that capture external views ...

Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) Identified in Top 25 Most Dangerous Congressional Districts for Pedestrians

Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) Identified in Top 25 Most Dangerous Congressional Districts for Pedestrians

Representative Henry 'Hank' Johnson (D-GA-04) has been ranked as representing the 9th most dangerous congressional district for pedestrians in the United States. This ranking was released by Smart Growth America, an organization that advocates for safer roadway designs. The report highlights that despite the dangers, Representative Johnson, along with two other representatives from the top 25 most dangerous districts (Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10)), voted for the BUILD America 250 Act. While this bill included a safety program called Safe Streets and Roads for All, critics argue it did little to fundamentally reorient federal transportation programs towards prioritizing safety. The current system places the burden of safety on pedestrians and cyclists, rather than addressing systemic issues in road design and vehicle manufacturing. The report suggests that current rules taught for road safety are outdated and insufficient given modern road conditions and vehicle designs.

Palm Coast, Florida, Prioritizes Residential Living Over Mass Tourism

Palm Coast, Florida, Prioritizes Residential Living Over Mass Tourism

Palm Coast, Florida, Prioritizes Residential Living Over Mass Tourism

Jonesboro Seeks Public Input on Rail Crossing Elimination Study to Enhance Safety and Traffic Flow

Jonesboro Seeks Public Input on Rail Crossing Elimination Study to Enhance Safety and Traffic Flow

The City of Jonesboro is actively seeking public feedback on a rail crossing elimination study. This initiative aims to gather residents' concerns regarding 18 railroad crossings operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) within the city. The study focuses on identifying crossings that pose the greatest issues, including traffic delays, access limitations, safety hazards, and congestion. The city's objective is to use this public input to strengthen its case for securing federal funding to implement solutions. These solutions could involve increasing safety measures, decreasing traffic impact, and potentially replacing street-level crossings with bridges or underpasses to separate vehicular and train traffic. Residents can complete an online survey or submit paper copies at the Jonesboro Municipal Center, with the survey closing on October 12.

Santa Barbara Considers Short-Term Rental Ordinance to Address Housing Shortage

Santa Barbara Considers Short-Term Rental Ordinance to Address Housing Shortage

The City of Santa Barbara is currently evaluating a proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance. This ordinance presents two distinct paths for the city: either maintain the existing status quo, which could lead to a situation similar to Venice, Italy, where a significant portion of the local population no longer resides in the city, or implement the ordinance to free up hundreds of new rental units. The goal of the ordinance is to make more housing available for Santa Barbara's citizens and workforce. The discussion around this ordinance highlights concerns about the availability and affordability of long-term housing for residents, contrasting it with the economic benefits and potential displacement associated with short-term rentals. The city is at a critical juncture, weighing the impact of tourism and short-term accommodations against the needs of its permanent population.

Vermont Public Poll Reveals Majority Support for New Second Home Tax Amidst Housing Crisis

Vermont Public Poll Reveals Majority Support for New Second Home Tax Amidst Housing Crisis

A recent Vermont Public poll indicates that 57% of Vermonters support implementing a new yearly tax on second homes, with 28% disagreeing and 15% undecided. This issue has become a central point in Vermont's current election cycle, particularly for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amanda Janoo, who advocates for higher taxes on 'luxury second homes' and 'commercial vacation rentals.' Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Molly Gray also suggests such a tax could fund universal primary care. In contrast, Republican incumbents Governor Phil Scott and Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers express caution about new taxes, emphasizing the need to control education costs and expand the tax base to reduce property taxes for primary homeowners. Support for the tax is stronger among Democratic-leaning respondents (70%) compared to Republican-leaning (43%) and independent/minor party respondents (54%). The poll also found that sentiments on the tax are consistent across different regions of the state.

Oak Park DEI Office Hosts Panel on Zoning History and Proposed Changes

Oak Park DEI Office Hosts Panel on Zoning History and Proposed Changes

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Oak Park facilitated a panel discussion on September 28, focusing on the history of local zoning. The event aimed to provide context for proposed changes to single-family zoning within the community. Kellye Keyes, the village's DEI chief, stated that the goal was to understand how past decisions shaped Oak Park and to inform current choices regarding zoning. Unlike previous tense public meetings on this topic, this discussion remained calm and focused on informational aspects. Experts, including David Silverman, Daniel Lauber, and John Duffy, presented on the origins of zoning, its historical uses, and its systemic implications beyond urban planning, touching on issues such as racism, classism, sexism, and ageism. Dr. Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College, also made an appearance, emphasizing the inevitability of change in community development and zoning.

HUD's Innovative Housing Showcase Faces Scrutiny Over Timing and Promotion Amidst Affordable Housing Crisis

HUD's Innovative Housing Showcase Faces Scrutiny Over Timing and Promotion Amidst Affordable Housing Crisis

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently held its annual Innovative Housing Showcase (IHS) on the National Mall, with HUD Secretary Scott Turner pre-announcing the event and its 'Made in America' theme. However, the event has drawn criticism regarding its timing and promotional efforts. The showcase occurred during a Congressional recess and coincided with a high-profile visit from China's President Xi Jinping, leading to concerns about reduced policymaker visibility and media attention. Critics, including Ed Pinto of the AEI Housing Center, suggest that the event's promotion was insufficient, with low viewership for HUD's promotional videos and a lack of prominent visibility on the Manufactured Housing Institute's (MHI) website. This has led to questions about whether the IHS effectively promotes manufactured housing as a solution to the affordable housing crisis or primarily serves as an 'illusion of motion' for public relations.