The program offers zero-interest loans to developers that keep rental units affordable for at least 50 years.
Boston’s Acquisition Opportunity Program has helped protect the affordability of 1,000 rental homes five years ahead of schedule, writes Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive.
The program assists “mission-driven” developers in purchasing housing with zero-interest loans in exchange for a commitment to maintain affordability for tenants for at least 50 years. “The developers must also set aside at least 40% of the units for low- and moderate-income families.”
Nonprofits such as the East Boston Community Development Corp. have benefited from the program, which has helped them acquire 150 units. “Now that Boston has hit its 1,000-home goal, it is setting another to help preserve over 350 more affordable housing units by the end of 2026.”
FULL STORY: Boston’s affordable housing preservation efforts are seeing results
Rents Rose Between December and January
After dropping to a three-year low, U.S. rent costs grew in many major cities.
Housing Top of Mind for Nevada Voters
The Silver State is the nation’s most unaffordable housing market for extremely low-income households.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
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