Shelterforce

Two years after the pandemic began, community development organizations reflect on what’s changed and how they’re moving forward. Some are still in crisis mode; others are refocusing their work. Amanda Abrams reads, "A New ‘Normal’: Nonprofits and the Next Phase of COVID." Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2022/06/22/a-new-normal-nonprofits-and-the-next-phase-of-covid/

As COVID relief funds have flowed out across the country, state and local governments have so far allotted at least $12 billion of their discretionary dollars to housing efforts. Meir Rinde reads, "COVID Relief Funds Filling Some Housing Budget Gaps." Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/06/08/covid-relief-funds-filling-some-housing-budget-gaps/

A medical complex in Mississippi draws on local artists to go beyond doctors' offices and become a gathering place for those living nearby. Brandon Duong reads, "From an Abandoned Mall to a Bustling Community Hub." Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2021/12/07/from-an-abandoned-mall-to-bustling-community-hub/

A major for-profit affordable housing provider hasn’t evicted a single tenant since early 2020. How did the company do it, and can its method be a model for other developers? Shelby R. King reads, "How One of Boston's Top Evictors Changed Its Ways." Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2021/12/03/how-one-of-bostons-top-evictors-changed-its-ways/

Shelterforce's Brandon Duong talks with Douglas Farrand and Margaux Simmons, two of the lead organizers for the Music City program in Orange, New Jersey, a grassroots asset-based community development initiative that uses music-making as a tool for connection, civic engagement, and creative placekeeping. Farrand and Simmons explain how “creative placekeeping” finds its strength in the relationship...

While accessory dwelling units are a valuable tool to add more rental housing, they also come with limitations. Shelby R. King reads, "Why ADUs Can't Solve the Nation's Housing Crisis," the final article in a six-part series about accessory dwelling units. Read the full series at https://shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/

Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are typically regulated at the local level, but advocates argue statewide legislation is what’s actually needed to get to scale. California has been aggressively leading the way. Shelby R. King reads "Going Statewide to Boost ADU Development," the fifth installment in a six-part series about accessory dwelling units. Read the full series at https://shelterforce.o...

In the face of limited financing options, local governments, nonprofits, and social enterprises are experimenting with ways to make affordable ADUs a reality. Shelby R. King reads, "Affordable ADUs: How It’s Being Done," the fourth installment in a series of articles about accessory dwelling units. Read the full series at https://shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/

Most homeowners have neither the capital nor the credit for ADU construction. If financing doesn’t change, ADUs will stay niche. Shelby R. King reads, "How Financing Barriers Keep ADUs Expensive," the third part in a series of articles about accessory dwelling units. Read the full series at https://shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/

The Build Back Better plan would have made huge new investments in housing. But most of what the plan promised isn’t going to happen. Would any housing plan have a chance of making it through Congress? Meir Rinde, Shelterforce's policy fellow, reads "Whatever Happened to Those Proposed Investments in Housing?" Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/05/05/what-happened-to-those-build-...

Accessory dwelling units are being touted as a way to provide more affordable rental units for tenants, and additional monthly income for homeowners. But some cities allow them, others don’t. So what are ADUs exactly? Shelby R. King reads "ADUs: Defined, Disambiguated, and Debated," the first in a six-part series. Shelterforce takes a deep dive into all-things accessory dwelling units in its recen...

As ADUs gain national attention, cities are searching for the best ways to legalize their development and encourage construction. Shelby R. King reads "ADUs: Laws and Uses, Do’s and Don’ts," the second in a six-part series. Shelterforce takes a deep dive into all-things accessory dwelling units in its recent series: ADUs Explained. Read more from the series here: shelterforce.org/category/adus-exp...

Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute talks about our new series: ADUs Explained. Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a look at some of the major policy considerations in legalizing accessory dwelling units, how they get built and financed, and the role they can play in our affordable housing landscape. Read more from the series here: shelterforce.org/category/adus-explained/

Agencies are required to set aside a percentage of their HOME grants for projects led by community housing development organizations. But changes HUD implemented in 2013 have made it harder for nonprofits to receive those funds. Shelterforce's policy fellow Meir Rinde takes a closer look. Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2022/04/27/how-an-obscure-hud-definition-is-leaving-housing-...

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program has helped create more than 3 million affordable homes units across the country. But if something isn’t done soon, thousands of those homes could be lost forever as affordability periods expire. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/04/07/what-can-be-done-when-lihtc-affordability-restrictions-expire/

The story of East Palo Alto’s incorporation is one marked by great contention among local stakeholders, but also provides valuable lessons for organizers in forging and mobilizing local coalitions. Elizabeth Sheedy reads, "How Rent Control Help Create East Palo Alto," written by David Skidmore. Read the full story here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/22/the-nexus-between-rent-control-and-incorpo...

Programs to help households of color buy homes have struggled to make a dent in the racial wealth gap. Some programs and initiatives are trying to think differently about how to approach the process to generate better outcomes for the buyers they serve. "Making Homeownership Work Better," was written by Brittany Hutson and Miriam Axel-Lute. The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial We...

This set of federal tax policy recommendations could support first-time homebuyers, enable renters and owners to save money, and help close the wealth gap. "Rethinking Homeownership Incentives to Shrink the Racial Wealth Gap," was written by Jenny Schuetz. The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full article at: https://shelterforce...

Expanding access to the housing market is unlikely to do much to close the racial wealth gap. Here’s why. "Blaming Redlining Is Too Easy," was written by David Imbroscio. The piece ran in Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full piece at: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/01/housing-racism-and-the-racial-wealth-gap/

Disproportionate amounts of medical debt contribute to the racial wealth gap. What can be done? "The Long Road to Recovery From Medical Debt," was written by Nicole Martinez for Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2022/02/15/the-long-road-to-recovery-from-medical-debt/

The dual financial system affects not only Black and Brown consumers, but Black- and Brown-led firms. In the past two years, CDFIs have focused on shifting access to capital for developers in particular. "Credit Where Credit Is Due: Expanding Access to Capital for BIPOC Developers," was written by Nisha Mistry for Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read...

We review Dorothy A. Brown’s book, "The Whiteness of Wealth," which breaks down the deleterious effect our tax code has had on Black lives. "The Racial Wealth Gap Begins With Our Tax Code" was written by Keli A. Tianga for Shelterforce's 2022 series—The Racial Wealth Gap: Moving to Systemic Solutions. Read the full review here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/08/the-racial-wealth-gap-begins-with-...

Despite the hopes pinned on it, homeownership is currently too affected by racism at every turn to be an equalizer. Miriam Axel-Lute reads "Increased Homeownership Won't Close the Racial Wealth Gap," an article she wrote for Shelterforce. Read more at shelterforce.org/category/racial-wealth-gap/

A new video game called Dot's Home aims to educate players on the various housing barriers facing Black Americans through history. How well does it do that? Brandon Duong reads, "Dot's Home, a Computer Game, Addresses History of Housing Discrimination," a review for Shelterforce. Read the full review here: https://shelterforce.org/2022/03/10/new-computer-home-addresses-history-of-housing-discrimin...

If Congress gave the Housing Choice Voucher program enough money to serve every income-eligible applicant, what other reforms would be needed so every voucher recipient could find a decent home in a suitable area? Shelby R. King reads her Shelterforce article, "How to Make Universal Vouchers Actually Work." Read the full article at: https://shelterforce.org/2021/10/15/how-to-make-universal-voucher...