Sandi Silk’s Post

🏠 As the president pushes for legislation to cap rent increases and repurpose federal properties for affordable housing, we are witnessing a crucial step towards addressing the housing crisis in our communities. 🔍 This move is an essential measure to protect vulnerable populations from displacement and ensure access to safe and affordable housing for all Americans. 📈 With a focus on stabilizing rent prices and utilizing federal properties for affordable housing, we can expect to see positive shifts in the accessibility and affordability of housing options in the near future. 🏗️ Repurposing federal properties represents a sustainable solution that can efficiently expand affordable housing stock while revitalizing communities across the nation. 🛠️ By implementing these initiatives, we have the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and access quality housing. 🏡 Let's support these efforts and work towards a future where everyone has a place to call home and no one is left behind in the quest for stable and affordable housing options.

[Part 1] Recently an article I contributed to was published by the Regional Plan Association concerning the state of affordable housing in New Jersey. It gives insight to the past, present, and future of housing in New Jersey. Coincidently it was published around the same time I made available a housing guide for Jersey City concerning the recent changes in our Land Development Ordinance (see the next post)!

Yesterday, Terner Center published a comparison of six states that have recently enacted "pro-housing designation programs" aimed at getting localities to allow more housing. Short story is that states are mostly designing and running these programs really poorly - accepting cities' representation that particular policies will work or asking for proof of permitting progress that can't possibly be attributed to the current elected leadership. Both approaches are probably needed, but have to be done more thoughtfully: ie, demonstrating enacted policies only makes sense if somebody is actually modelling whether the policies will work in the local context and showing permitting growth only make sense as a back-end true up and evaluatory tool.

There is a lot of attention on the potential use of church-owned land for social and affordable housing, whether here in Queensland, New South Wales, or even overseas in California. One of the advantages of church land is its strategic location, often being close to services, public transport, and employment opportunities. Additionally, it can often be under-utilised. The churches want to be involved in discussions about using this land for social and affordable housing, even though they are not developers or housing providers. We believe we need a straightforward solution to establish modest housing on these sites that fits within the existing urban footprint. One that can move quickly, as ‘accepted development’, across multiple sites, as opposed to one at a time. That’s why we are proposing the amendment to the Planning Regulations that is currently out for consultation. The discussion around utilising church land for housing has been ongoing, but there has been limited progress since the Housing Summit in 2022. We require a more effective approach to propel this opportunity forward. #faithbased #social #affordable #housing #queensland #partnerships #planningchanges #homematters #bettertogether #homenow #missionalignment

Continuing our series on the 2024 Council Priorities, and in honor of Affordable Housing Month this May, we are sharing details about the Council’s 2024 Priority Housing for Social and Economic Balance and 21 adopted objectives that are timebound and measurable, to advance this priority. Learn about renter protections and other efforts seeking to support the 40% of our residents that are renters, Area Housing Plans and other programs implementing priorities within the recently adopted revised Housing Element, interim housing project Homekey Palo Alto status and more! https://bit.ly/3KcciC9

Did you see that Greenville City Council has reserved more land near Unity Park for affordable housing by dipping into its tourism revenue? This is the first time the City has done so following a change to state law last year that allows local accommodation tax dollars to be used for housing. Council’s initial approval allows for the purchase of church property in the Southernside community for workforce housing, meaning that residents will make between 30 and 120% of the area median family income. This translates to Greenville’s median income of $88,600 for a family of four, while 30% is $26,580 per year and 120% $106,320 per year. Hollingsworth was pleased to see this change in state law and now our city government taking advance of it to increase the number of affordable homes in Greenville. You can read more at https://ow.ly/hPXh50RjS5b. #affordablehousing #workforcehousing #advanceandthrive #greenvillesc #yeahthatgreenville

Addressing our nation’s housing affordability crisis calls for bold and innovative solutions. In a new report, the Terner Center for Housing Innovation profiles six state-led pro-housing designation programs from California, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New York and Utah, designed to tackle unique housing challenges and priorities while enhancing compliance with existing laws. Learn more about how states are incentivizing pro-housing reform here: https://lnkd.in/eSNCbckT #policy #affordablehousing #housingreform

The deliberate work of the #HousingOpportunitiesCommission is needed now more than ever to meet the ever-increasing demand for affordable housing in #MontgomeryCountyMD. Over the next five years we will work to expand our reach and impact. Our new Five-Year Strategic Plan outlines how we will make that a reality. Learn more--->https://lnkd.in/e5N7f4aD #AffordableHousing

🏡 The Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act was officially introduced by Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)! Smart Growth America—with support from our LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors coalition—is proud to have endorsed this piece of legislation that aims to reimagine zoning laws and empower local governments to develop more affordable housing in the U.S. 👏 "Historically, zoning practices have been used to divide communities and concentrate poverty in under-resourced areas. By transforming our zoning regulations, more people would have access to affordable and diverse types of housing, high-paying jobs, and healthy and safe communities." Learn more about the bill ⤵ https://lnkd.in/etx-QNyt

In the face of today’s housing crisis, state governments are taking a more active role in encouraging local policy change to increase housing production and affordability. State-level pro-housing designation programs incentivize or require localities to pursue policies that facilitate housing production. A new Terner Center report profiles six early-stage programs across the country—in California, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, and Utah—offering vital lessons to other states seeking housing solutions.