Breakfast links: Getting housing regulation right
Regulating DCRA
DCRA, the DC agency that issues construction permits, is under scrutiny as Mayor Bowser undertakes a week-long review of the agency’s operations. DCRA has had ongoing problems with poor management and corruption. (WAMU)
Where there’s smoke?
The Silver Spring apartment complex that exploded and caught fire last week had received over 1600 citations during building inspections since 2010. (WUSA9)
How you gonna pay the rent?
A comparison of the median one-bedroom apartment price with median household income shows that renters in and around Columbia Heights are paying 62% of their income on rent on average. Several other DC zip codes don’t fare much better. (UrbanTurf)
The Tide turns 5
Norfolk’s light rail line turns five on Friday. The Tide has been mostly successful, with ridership dropping but continuing to exceed predictions and the cost to operate significantly lower than expected. (Virginian Pilot, Arrgh Street)
Wait for it ... in an Uber room
A new apartment in Mount Pleasant will have a special room where residents can wait for an Uber. The room is basically a lobby with a view of the street and a TransitScreen. (Post)
More housing for Michigan Park
Michigan Park could get 82 new townhouses by 2019, with at least 12% of the 3- to 4-bedroom homes designated as affordable housing. (City Paper)
Baltimore’s new boats
Baltimore’s Water Taxi service will get new bike-friendly boats and tracking via Uber. The CEO of Under Armour recently bought the water taxi company and plans to expand service to his new, massive development in South Baltimore. (Baltimore Business Journal)
EmergencyBnB
AirBnB is trying to serve as a hub for free and discounted emergency housing for those affected by flooding in Louisiana, even though the service is illegal in New Orleans. (4WWL)
And…
DC comes in 7th in the nation for constructing new homes in walkable areas. (Redfin) … More people are renting across the US than ever before. (Construction Dive) … Hundreds of dead fish are stinking up a pond on the National Mall. Authorities suspected the extreme heat is the culprit. (Post)