June 18: What we’re reading this week
Some articles we found interesting this week:
This research by the Urban Institute provides more evidence that recent and pending zoning changes like the Transit Overlay Districts and Missing Middle reforms can help address the housing crisis. America Has a Housing Shortage. Zoning Changes Near Transit Could Help. Here is a companion piece examining how zoning changes can help address housing scarcity in the Puget Sound area.
The lack of accessibility is an often-overlooked barrier to affordable housing for persons with disabilities who struggle with housing insecurity at higher rates than many other groups. This article discusses why incorporating universal design concepts in housing is important. Here is another series of articles exploring the housing challenges faced by people with disabilities, also from ShelterForce.
This New York Times article discussed the lack of new housing production and how America is unlikely to accelerate construction in a way that will meaningfully increase housing supply. Affordable Housing Woes Paint a Bleak Picture, in the New York Times.
The Biden Administration is rolling out an initiative to address racial bias in the appraisal industry. Here’s a Bloomberg article about the effort.
Here is an article discussing the re-emergence of rent control in some states and cities, via The Guardian.
Salt Lake City is considering an incentive structure to encourage development of Missing Middle housing on existing lots with incentive bonuses. Read more about it here.
America needs more than 350,000 starter homes. Read more.
Here is an interesting interview with Oregon’s Governor discussing her state’s housing crisis and what she is trying to do about it. More information from Vox.
Here is a 2022 report by the National Association of Realtors exploring the challenges of housing affordability. The ‘Double Trouble’ of the Housing Market.
While Raleigh’s affordability crisis is very real, it’s still not nearly as bad as most other places across the country. As an example, here is an article declaring Raleigh “the best city in America to buy a home.” With this kind of press coverage, affordability will remain under pressure until the housing supply is dramatically increased. From Yahoo News. The consequences of low supply in Raleigh is surging suburban sprawl as indicated in this recent TBJ article.
Bonus Long Read: Development May be in Shaw’s Future, But Can it Hold on to its Past, via The Assembly.