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Homelessness

VA’s Work to End Veteran Homelessness Is a Nationwide Model. Can It Translate for Civilians?

The VA’s program doesn’t completely meet the needs of all unhoused veterans, but it’s close. That stands in stark relief to the non-veteran population. 

View from the street of a bank built in 1917. From the photographer: The building features a red brick exterior with terra cotta trim, decorative panels with Sullivanesque detailing, Sullivanesque trim, a decorative mosaic in the tympanum below the arch above the front entrance with the word “Thrift” in gold lettering in the middle of an expanse of blue tile and decorative white, cream, green, purple, red, and orange tile accents, decorative metal lettering on the facade above the arch displaying the words “The People’s Federal Savings & Loan Assn." ... Gargoyles above the pilasters framing the front entrance, fixed glass windows at the corners, brass double doors.
Affordability

How the New CRA Rule Will Help, and Where It Falls Short

The assessments that evaluate a bank’s lending practices have improved, but there are several missed opportunities for reform. For one, the new rules won’t incorporate a racial analysis into lending examinations.

A streetscape of a town on a partly cloudy day. Cars travel the main road toward and away from the camera. In the middle distance is a tall radio tower. Identifiable businesses include a laundromat and beauty supply store.
Housing

A Fifth of This Town’s Homes Were Saved from Demolition—And Kept Affordable

The decision to demolish Wellston’s public housing had already been made when residents and the mayor decided to fight for it, but persistence, luck, and a financing structure with some unusual twists brought them back from the brink.

Concept bold thinking—individual red paper plane flies in different direction in contrast to crowd of ordinary white planes
Housing

How to Really Reform the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program

Adding more credits and making tweaks do not actually address some of the major weaknesses of the program. We should be bolder.

A row of 26 people of varying ages and skin tones stand in front of a pink building with a large archway leading to a plaza or park with trees. Many of the people are wearing ID tags on lanyards and all are smiling.
Affordability

How We Can Bring Vienna’s Housing Model to the U.S.

Legislators visited Vienna to learn about the city’s social housing program. Here’s how they say their states’ housing crises would benefit from similar policies.

A mural on a rough whitewashed wall. Painted in dripping capitals is "Follow your dreams," and over it is a red stenciled "Cancelled" banner. To the right is an image of a man holding a pail and paintbrush. He's wearing a cloth cap and has two rolls of paper under his arm.
Policy

Keeping Wealth in the Family

The role of ‘heirs property’ in eroding Black families’ wealth

multifamily buildings
Affordability

The FSS Program Was Expanded Beyond Public Housing Authorities—Here’s How It’s Going

In 2018, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program was expanded to privately owned properties receiving project-based rental assistance. Here’s a look at how early adopters have used the program to support residents, and the lessons they learned along the way.

A skyscraper at night with windows lit up to form a large dollar sign.
Affordability

LIHTC Right of First Refusal Is Still Under Attack

Three years after our initial story, aggressive investors are still suing LIHTC general partners to profit off of what should be affordable housing. But one legal decision, along with proposed legislation, could help protect the right of first refusal.

Affordability

LIHTC for Regular People

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is famously complex. We can’t exactly make it simple, but we’ve broken down the basics, especially those that residents of a LIHTC property might want to know, as clearly as possible.

Three men in work clothes including helmets and tool belts stand on scaffolding. It looks as though the scaffolding is standing alone but it is erected against a white building, creating that effect.
Affordability

How to Reform the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program

Housing and policy experts agree that LIHTC has successfully increased the supply of affordable housing. But they also believe there’s room for improvement.

Transparent check mark over compliance related icons and words handwritten on white papers
Affordability

How Are LIHTC Rules Enforced—And How Well?

LIHTC developers must follow strict affordability rules—and fulfill other promises—for at least 30 years. While industry insiders insist compliance rates are high, tenant advocates say noncompliance is a real problem.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speakers at a podium.
Policy

Tenant Protections Undone: How Florida Organizers Are Moving Forward

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in June that overrode dozens of local tenant protection laws won there in recent years. How are housing organizers in Florida fighting back? And what can other organizers do if they live in a state that is hostile to tenant protections?