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October 15, 2019

All in the Family: The New Multigenerational Household

October 15, 2019

All in the Family: The New Multigenerational Household

In recent years, particularly since the Great Recession, multigenerational living has been on the rise across the country. Economic and demographic factors are the primary reasons why more people are…
September 30, 2019

Rent Control is Back Again

September 30, 2019

Rent Control is Back Again

In February, Oregon became the first state to enact statewide rent control. In September, California followed with its own statewide rent cap.  Only the District of Columbia and three other…

Recent Posts

Back to School: Examining the Link Between Housing and Educational Achievement
August 22, 2018

Back to School: Examining the Link Between Housing and Educational Achievement

As children head back to school this fall, millions of families are worried not only about homework and tests, but also about where they will live or how they will pay the rent. When families have trouble finding safe, stable, affordable housing, children’s school performance can be adversely affected. What do we know about the […]
Should the Federal or State Government Take a More Direct Role in Local Land Use and Zoning?
August 8, 2018

Should the Federal or State Government Take a More Direct Role in Local Land Use and Zoning?

Local land use and zoning requirements, and related entitlement and development review and approval processes, are a key factor behind the housing affordability challenge since these requirements have the effect of limiting housing production (or production of certain types of lower-cost housing) and/or make it more expensive to build housing. As economist Edward Gaeser has […]
Local Solutions in Action: Form-Based Code
July 30, 2018

Local Solutions in Action: Form-Based Code

The Local Solutions in Action series highlights strategies for expanding housing options and increasing housing affordability. The focus is on land use, zoning, financial and other regulatory tools that are available to cities, counties and towns that can be used to meet the housing needs of their residents and workforce. Form-Based Code A form-based code […]
Housing Affordability is an Important Issue for Counties, Too
July 24, 2018

Housing Affordability is an Important Issue for Counties, Too

Housing affordability is sometimes seen as a big city issue, or at least a city issue. The National League of Cities has found that housing tops the list of priorities for city leaders, along with the related issues of economic development, infrastructure and public safety. Housing has not been a priority in surveys of county […]
Local Solutions in Action: Preservation
July 19, 2018

Local Solutions in Action: Preservation

The Local Solutions in Action series highlights strategies for expanding housing options and increasing housing affordability. The focus is on land use, zoning, financial and other regulatory tools that are available to cities, counties and towns that can be used to meet the housing needs of their residents and workforce. Housing Preservation Programs Preserving affordable […]
If Not Rent Control, Then What?
June 20, 2018

If Not Rent Control, Then What?

I recently completed a research review of the effects of rent control and found—similar to what many others have found—that rent control is a decidedly inefficient approach to mitigating local affordable housing challenges. There are, of course, families that have benefitted from rent control and for those families the policy has had a positive outcome. […]
Where We Live: Millennial Homeowners in the DC Region
June 12, 2018

Where We Live: Millennial Homeowners in the DC Region

In 2016, the homeownership rate for 25 to 34 year olds was 34.0 percent, down from 46.6 percent in 2006 and 41.0 percent in 2000. Rates of homeownership among Millennials households remain relatively low for a variety of reasons, some interrelated – uncertain economic prospects following the Great Recession, a tight mortgage market, rising student […]
Housing Matters to Local Economic Development
June 6, 2018

Housing Matters to Local Economic Development

When Amazon set out to look for a location for its second headquarters, HQ2, it released a detailed RFP that made clear the type of community it felt would be best for supporting the growth of its company. Amazon specifically asked communities competing for HQ2 to clearly describe their quality of life, including information about […]