Partnership for Strong Communities’ Post

A good coalition of organizations with some good ideas to spur additional housing development in Westchester. Pay particular attention to the ideas in the last paragraph. In a BANANA county like Westchester (whose citizens and municipalities have the attitude Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody) these are some basic suggestions to speed up approvals and development that would also result in lower costs for developers and lower costs for housing. https://bit.ly/3XVqAP7

When you accept public funds, once you cross the 2-3% of total project costs (including in-kind services) it triggers prevailing wage on a project. So, how does this affect a project financially? 1) it doubles labor costs (which is typically 60% of a project’s costs) 2) It takes longer to complete 3) Soft costs grow Prevailing (union) wages have merit…but at what cost? Should the deminimus amount be increased…we’ll need to wait for case law on this or legislation to change it. How does govt funding for ADUs apply? Let me know what you think. #prevailingwage #adu #affordablehousing

At ReMo, we're closely watching the shift towards innovative approaches in building affordable housing, and we understand why some developers are opting out of government funding. The reality is that the funds come with a labyrinth of regulations and restrictions that often inflate costs and delay projects, which isn't viable when people need housing urgently. The initiative by SDS Capital Group in South Los Angeles is a case in point. By forgoing government assistance, they're able to cut costs significantly, building a 49-unit complex for much less per unit compared to traditional publicly funded projects. This approach not only speeds up construction but also shows a promising pathway to tackle the housing crisis more effectively. The challenges of the current system, from red tape to the inefficiency of funds, are clear. It's time for a change. By simplifying the process and reducing unnecessary soft costs, we can build more homes, faster, and help more people in need. We're in a housing crisis because for too long, the supply hasn't met the demand. Smaller units with fewer amenities can lower prices and make housing more accessible. It's about allowing the industry to innovate and use funds more efficiently, not about jumping through hoops that double the costs and complicate the process. #AffordableHousing #Innovation #HousingCrisis #remohomes Lois Kim Sean Kennedy, Ph.D. Justin DeWaele Lynn von Koch-Liebert Sasha Wisotsky Kergan Violeta Aguilar-Wyrick, MPP Brandon Barney https://lnkd.in/esgXVZXi

🌆 Big News for Savannah’s Housing Future! 🌆 Last week at the Savannah City Council workshop, members of the City's Housing department gave a presentation on housing affordability, and we’re excited to share some updates with you! 🏠 For over 30 years, housing costs have risen faster than incomes, making it tough for many of our neighbors—including 40% of households—to find affordable places to live. That’s why Housing Savannah, guided by the city’s 10-year Action Plan launched in 2022, has been working hard to turn the tide. And thanks to community support, we’ve been able to help over 1,950 households over the past three years! What’s next? Five major construction projects are on the way for 2024-2025, including affordable senior apartments at the former Coastal Empire Fairgrounds. This is just the beginning—together, we can build a Savannah where everyone has a home they can afford. 💙🏘️ #HousingSavannah #AffordableHousing #SavannahCommunity #HomesForAll #StrongerTogether

“Affordable housing is the key to creating a city that thrives for everyone, and it has been severely lacking in our community for over a decade,” said Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. “Standing here, you can see that’s starting to change. By partnering with CHOC, this vision is now a reality. Monarch Apartment Homes is a testament to the city of #PalmSprings’ commitment to bringing more inclusive quality housing into our communities.” “As we continue to see cities and counties across the state develop new strategic approaches to meet #affordablehousing needs in their communities, it’s the importance of public-private partnerships that shines through. Collaboration is the cornerstone of any one person or entity’s success, and that could not be truer in this case,” said Joy Silver, CHOC's chief strategy officer. “Our partnership with the city of Palm Springs allowed for this much-needed community to come to fruition, fulfilling a decades-old need for residents of this city; and this is only the beginning.” READ Affordable Housing Finance's full report below. #chocmonarch #chocxmw #monarchapartmenthomes #davisreedconstruction #affordablehousing #coachellavalley #chochousing #palmsprings #modernismweek #mw2024 #modernismweek2024 #realestatedevelopment #realestatedeveloper #sterlingasset

The city of Los Angeles just undertook an "affordable" housing field experiment that absolutely confirmed my two big priors around ACTUAL AFFORDABLE housing (meaning low cost as differentiated from "affordable"/subsidized housing^1 ). 1) As we've always known and proven in Houston, if you want ACTUAL AFFORDABLE housing you merely have to allow it. https://lnkd.in/dFPB8cay (LA approved 3 years worth of "affordable" (80% AMI) apartments in 1 year after the policy change) 2) That it is impossible to build ACTUAL AFFORDABLE housing in much of the country is a clear and direct policy decision. https://lnkd.in/g5srWS5B (And immediately turned around and started adding restrictions back on the program) ^1 The most absolutely vulnerable among us will almost certainly still need some assistance but a housing market that is so messed up I might be able to qualify for assistance is a policy choice. #Housing #AffordableHousing

Check out this WZZM article showcasing how Housing Next is leading the charge in addressing the housing shortage in Grand Rapids. Learn about our innovative solutions and the positive impact we aim to create for our community. #HousingForAll https://lnkd.in/eeaFRmki

Chicago committee looks at free-market solution to affordable housing "Affordable housing is a crucial issue in Chicago, and the city's Committee on Housing and Real Estate is taking a free market approach to tackle it. By promoting competition and innovation in the housing market, they hope to provide more options for low-income residents. 💡🏘️ Let's support this initiative for a more equitable and affordable Chicago! #AffordableHousing #FreeMarketSolutions #InnovationForAll #ChicagoHousing #SocialImpact #CommunityDevelopment"

📢 Attention to all professionals in the housing industry! 🏡🔑 John Lewis has made an announcement that has raised concerns about the affordable housing situation. According to The Telegraph, the company has decided to reduce the number of affordable flats in their housing scheme. This decision has sparked discussions about the importance of affordable housing in our communities. As housing professionals, it's crucial for us to stay informed and advocate for inclusive housing solutions that benefit everyone. Let's keep the conversation going and work towards creating a more equitable housing landscape. Share your thoughts and let's brainstorm ideas on how to address this issue. #AffordableHousing #HousingDevelopment #CommunityBuilding https://ift.tt/IMZ4WQ3

The Future of Affordable Housing in Our Region Needs Your Voice! In the Rockford Region, housing should be accessible, affordable and safe for all. Region 1 Planning Council (our Metropolitan Planning Organization or "MPO"), is currently developing a comprehensive Housing Coordination Plan to help achieve just that. Now, R1 needs to hear your voice to assure the plan it produces is truly responsive to our community's needs. If you live in Winnebago, Boone or northeastern Ogle County, please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your insights will inform a guidebook of recommendations to create and preserve a diverse, more equitable range of housing options so our community will be ready to thrive and grow in the future. https://lnkd.in/g6bP4i7S