Miles Howard

7 Posts

Miles Howard is a journalist and writer based in Boston.
A close-up view of 11 glass-domed electric meters in an apartment building. The photo appears to be black and white at first glance, but is naturally a scene of varying shades of gray.
Organizing

When a Problematic Landlord Is a Nonprofit

While in most cases having a nonprofit as a landlord is considered a win, it doesn’t prevent conflict with tenants. But organizers can take some different tactics when interacting with nonprofit landlords.

Uncategorized

Can We Prevent Slumlords from Buying More Buildings?

Why should owners of buildings in illegally poor repair be able to buy more rentals? As Washington, D.C., found, it’s not the easiest thing to prevent.

Community Development Field

Pandemic Housing Market Is Not Like the Great Recession’s

The pandemic housing market may be a different beast from the recession market, but the outcomes could be eerily similar.

COVID

Making Eviction Diversion Meaningful in Massachusetts

Whether the governor’s rent relief and eviction diversion program will keep people in their homes depends on whether landlords can be persuaded—or compelled—to participate.

COVID

Massachusetts Showed States How to Create an Eviction Ban. Now It’s Backpedaling

The Massachusetts eviction moratorium—one of the strongest in the nation—expired, just in time for winter. How did this happen?

handpainted sign says "I think we are doing a beautiful job figuring out some heavy shit"
COVID

Response to Pandemic Shows What’s Possible in Housing

We’re seeing bold actions from states across the U.S.—from strong eviction moratoriums in Massachusetts to a major homeless initiative in California. What if these new housing measures were designed to last beyond the coronavirus crisis?

a row of tiny houses in a tiny house village in Seattle, Wash.
Homelessness

Tiny Houses — Not a Big Enough Solution

Tiny houses are a step up from shelter beds, but are they also a distraction from real, obvious solutions to our homelessness epidemic?