Subdivisions in states across the country are catering to people who want the benefits of living in homes without the burdens of home ownership.
Chris Arnold reports on new subdivisons that are made up of homes that are not for sale, just for rent. "[Developer Josh Hartmann] says there are basically three types of renters of these houses: recent divorcees like [Lou Ann] Erwin, aging baby boomers who don't want the headaches of owning a house anymore and millennials."
Hartmann says he started building homes after the housing crash as an alternative for people who lost homes to foreclosure and wanted time to recover financially before looking at home ownership again. Instead, he found that more people with the resources to purchase homes were choosing to rent instead.
The renters say they prefer the home and neighborhood amenities these rentals offer, including yards, patios, and community pools. In areas with rising housing prices, such as Denver, the rentals also offer an option for people reluctant to commit to long-term mortgages, notes Arnold. "In the past year, developers around the country built more than 40,000 homes as single-family rentals, the National Association of Home Builders says."
FULL STORY: Renters Only: These New Homes Aren't For Sale
When Large Corporations Buy Homes and Become Landlords
Since the Great Recession, homeownership is down and corporations are taking advantage of the profit opportunities.
Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One
Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.
West Virginia Tackles Vacancy With Tax Reform
The Center for Community Progress made recommendations for tax reform in West Virginia to address vacancy. Guided by CCP's suggestions, the state auditor’s office has passed two laws to change its tax sales process and keep properties in use.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service