Posts tagged Housing Shortage
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Montgomery County says no new homes in Silver Spring because the schools are full
For decades, school planners assumed that families would move out to the suburbs once they had kids, and made projections for where and how to build new schools based on that. But as that trend begins to shift, Montgomery County is finding school enrollment harder to predict, which creates new challenges in and out of the classroom. Keep reading…
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Gentrification in DC is not just a black and white issue
Most conventional debates over gentrification in DC position the process as one that replaces long-time black residents with newer, wealthier white residents. Given the context, this framing makes sense: DC has a well-established black middle class and a wealth of black history. However, the reality is a bit more complex — and diverse. Keep reading…
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“No vacancy” is a problem when people need homes
“Now Leasing” signs seem to be ubiquitous on apartment buildings across the region, from the eerily dark new high-rises downtown to well-worn mid-century garden apartments with colorful banners out front. Yet at the same time, experts agree that the area has a housing shortage. What gives? Keep reading…
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McDuffie: To help you stay, we need to build homes for new residents
At a June hearing about a controversial development in DC’s Ivy City neighborhood, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie engaged in a series of meaningful exchanges with neighbors, and in the process made a clear case for why officials must keep pushing for new homes. Keep reading…
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Hey WaPo, it’s not a debate: we need more homes
Recently the Washington Post published an article entitled “In expensive cities, rents fall for the rich - but rise for the poor.” With a headline like that, it’s easy for opponents of YIMBYism (which broadly calls upon expensive cities to build more homes) to declare victory. But YIMBYism isn’t wrong — we’re just letting the margins dominate this debate. Keep reading…
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Here’s why developers seem to only build luxury housing
Stop me if you've heard this one before: “Developers in my city are only building luxury housing. They're not building anything that ordinary people can afford.” Here are five reasons you might see your local developers primarily building homes that you and your neighbors can't afford. Keep reading…
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National links: Cities will need to redesign themselves for self-driving cars
Cities will need to redesign themselves for an age of self-driving cars. Building up infill in the El Camino Real corridor in San Francisco could help alleviate the Bay Area's housing crunch. Despite their original “tech bro” reputation, e-scooters have developed a truly diverse fan base. Keep reading…
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National links: How Helsinki is leading the world in urban travel
A subscription app called Whim allows users to get around Helsinki by bike, bus, train, taxi or borrowed car. The front lawn For Sale sign has been redesigned for the digital world. “Balancing” streets for cars has unbalanced neighborhoods. Keep reading…
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How should Arlington preserve and create affordable homes?
The high cost of housing in Arlington is a double-edged sword. Not only is there a severe shortage of market-rate homes that are affordable to low-income households, but the amount that the county must pay to preserve an existing affordable home continues to grow. Keep reading…
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#GGWashReads “Evicted,” which puts a human face on a widespread problem
Last week, members of our summer book club discussed the harsh and complicated realities facing tenants and landlords at the bottom of the housing market as we read though Matthew Desmond’s award-winning book, Evicted. Keep reading…