Voters approved a bond measure that includes up to $10 million for creating a public housing entity.
Rhode Island state leaders are considering using public funds for affordable housing development after voters approved a $120 million housing bond that includes $10 million for public housing development.
As Jared Brey explains in Governing, “While it’s not clear exactly how the program will work, or even whether it will happen, advocates have been pushing for the state to create a public development entity similar to one used in Montgomery County, Maryland. There, the county invests directly in mixed-income housing projects, and instead of profiting off the market-rate units, it uses the income to subsidize reduced rents for lower-income people and reinvests its equity in other projects.”
More cities and states are experimenting with funding models that can support affordable housing even in the absence of federal assistance (President-elect Trump has proposed further cuts to housing vouchers and other federal assistance programs).
As the pandemic exacerbated the housing crisis, Rhode Island put more funding into affordable housing, investing $330 million in American Rescue Act dollars in housing programs. However, this only produced roughly 1,500 new housing units, signaling the inefficiency of the existing development system. Proponents of a state development entity suggest it could help direct state funds more effectively to mixed-income developments.
FULL STORY: Rhode Island Could Create a 'Public Developer' to Address Housing Crisis
Rents Rose Between December and January
After dropping to a three-year low, U.S. rent costs grew in many major cities.
National Survey Shows ‘Severe, Widespread, and Worsening’ Housing Crisis
Mayors from around the country agree that more support is needed at the federal level to strengthen housing assistance programs.
Modular Workforce Housing Offers a Lifeline for Western Towns
Rapidly rising housing costs are pushing out the residents at the heart of local economies in resort towns across the country.
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