2020
"Home ownership is the West’s biggest economic-policy mistake"
It is an obsession that undermines growth, fairness and public faith in capitalism
Economies can suffer both sudden crashes and chronic diseases. Housing markets in the rich world have caused both types of problem. A trillion dollars of dud mortgages blew up the financial system in 2007-08.
...More"What Would It Take to End Homelessness?"
“…Housing First turned that upside down, …This has been enormously successful, housing about 85 percent of the most complex folks…”
“…The vast majority of people who become homeless could be easily housed if there were housing that they could afford on their income…”
“…For everyone else, we need to focus on increasing the supply of extremely low-income housing by building very low-income housing, preserving what exists, and providing sufficient vouchers (right now, only a quarter of households who qualify get them)…”
...More"Poll: 97% of San Franciscans see homelessness as a problem — 69% approve of homeless housing in their neighborhoods"
“…The poll finds 72 percent support for simply giving homes to the homeless — … Providing Section 8 rental vouchers for homeless people met with 76 percent approval…”
“…This polling, he continued, “demonstrates support for this type of solution is widespread…”
...More"SF to lease buildings for formerly homeless as it struggles to get people off the streets"
San Francisco is making 151 units in two residential hotels available for formerly homeless people, a more affordable and faster option than creating new units in a city where subsidized housing costs $700,000 a unit and five years to build.
“…The city hopes the first occupants at both hotels will be able to move in by April. The Post will charge $1,300 a unit per month and the Abigail will charge $1,400. Residents will be expected to pay 30% of their income — whatever it may be — toward rent, with the city subsidizing the remainder…”
...More"Banning cars won’t solve America’s bigger transportation problem: Long trips"
Cars are a fact of life for the vast majority of Americans, whether we’re commuting to work or traveling to just about anywhere. But a new development outside Phoenix is looking to change that. Culdesac Tempe, a 1,000-person rental community, aims to promote a new type of walkable neighborhood by banning residents from driving or parking cars there.
...More"California needs to remove barriers to housing construction"
Quietly, the state’s housing crisis is beginning to take its toll on California’s 1.4 million family businesses.
...More"How One Tiny-Home Designer Makes a Small Space Feel 10 Times Bigger"
The most striking thing about Impola’s tiny homes is that they don’t immediately look tiny. Interior shots reveal luxurious details (think: rich wood countertops and exposed ceiling beams) yet the structures themselves average about 250 square feet.
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