Shelterforce

Shelby R. King's investigation shines a light on the stark inequities that emerge in the wake of climate disasters. Her reporting on the Almeda and Marshall Fires reveals how residents of manufactured homes—many of them low-income or immigrants—were among the hardest hit, yet struggled the most to access recovery resources. Why are we failing to protect our most vulnerable neighbors when disaster strikes? Read more on this story from our #DualCrises series: https://bit.ly/3WY26TF #DisasterRecovery #CommunityResilience #EnvironmentalImpact

In 1993, HUD officials hailed the residents of Park Village Apartments as the "ultimate in tenant empowerment" when they took control of the rundown complex. But 31 years later, HUD hasn't yet approved full ownership of the property they've poured their hearts into transforming. What can we learn from their perseverance in the face of bureaucratic obstacles? https://bit.ly/3XcAb3x #TenantEmpowerment #CommunityOwnership #AffordableHousing

🏠🗳️ Housing Under the Next Election 🏠🗳️ What housing issues matter most as we head into the 2024 election? Join Shelterforce’s Schlonn Hawkins and Marisol Bello for a live, interactive conversation on Nov. 1, 12–1 p.m. ET. Learn what advocates and voters are saying about the state of housing and share your questions in this pivotal discussion. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gfqm-tMp #2024Election #HousingEquity #LiveEvent

Executive Director Marisol Bello will be joining Shelterforce for a talk on the upcoming election and it's impacts on housing and homelessness solutions. For more info and to register, check out the post below!

🎉 Join us for an exclusive #LiveEvent as we kick off #NewsMatch2024! On Friday, Nov. 1, from 12–1 p.m. ET, Shelterforce’s Schlonn Hawkins and Housing Narrative Lab's Marisol Bello will tackle the key housing issues at play in the 2024 primary elections. Get your questions ready—let’s dive into what’s at stake for housing justice! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gfqm-tMp #NewsMatch2024 #AffordableHousing #HousingJustice

"Take for example, Athene Annuity, an insurer owned by the private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Athene had $11.9 billion in outstanding advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines through June 2024." Why is this company the biggest borrower from a federal home loan bank, part of a system designed to support housing? And what can we do about it? Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4dU6qtE #FederalHomeLoanBank #HousingFinance #AffordableHousing

"Seattle is going through a real sea-change in terms of the really troubling economic forecast for the local public school system," explains Marcia Wright-Soika, executive director of FamilyWorks Family Resource Center and Food Banks "One of the ways that schools get funded in Washington state is by enrollment, so when you have children who are moving out of the city and away from city public schools because of things like affordability . . . Opting out of the district reduces the districts resources and their ability to provide education for the vast majority of the students who live here." At FamilyWorks, the organization's solution is clear: partnering with school and housing communities to reach families where they live, work, and grow. Watch the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3Y8CwMg #IntersectionOfHousing #BuildingCommunityPower #HousingJustice

Shelterforce Weekly Update In this week's Shelterforce newsletter, housing advocates weigh in on Kamala Harris's and Donald Trump's housing proposals, highlighting distinct approaches to homelessness and affordability. Amid rapid climate change, we explore what an equitable, reformed property insurance model could look like. Sweden’s co-op model, covering nearly a quarter of its housing, is also examined for its mixed-income, sustainable potential. Plus, don’t miss the latest events, job listings, and more! Check out the full newsletter today.

Just before Thanksgiving 2023, Katelyn Crandall and Quinn Knight found themselves in a freezing upstate New York home with a broken boiler and a landlord who was slow to respond. After weeks of waiting, they were given three options, none of which provided immediate relief. With temperatures dropping, the couple faced a winter relying on space heaters, struggling to keep their pets warm, and watching their energy bills skyrocket. Thanks to New York’s new Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act (#TDSHA), they took legal action and secured a court order for repairs and financial compensation. But the process wasn’t easy, even with the law on their side. Could this new law become a model for tenant protections in other states? How might it change the landscape of housing rights across the country? Our latest article delves into the story and explores the broader implications. Read more: https://bit.ly/4dk7S95 #SafeHousingAct #UpstateNY #TenantRights

Kingston, NY Sets Precedent with Rent Reduction Order In a landmark decision, Kingston has become the FIRST city in New York State to order a rent reduction. Facing a 46.1% increase in median rents over just a few years, the city took bold action by opting into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act. This move, unprecedented outside of New York City and its immediate suburbs, culminated in a 15% rent reduction for stabilized units. The decision faces legal challenges from the Hudson Valley Property Owners Association, Inc, but its implications for affordable housing policy are significant. Read our in-depth report on how this small city is leading the charge in the fight for tenant rights: https://bit.ly/4h3xVDL #KingstonNY #AffordableHousing #TenantRights