Say It Ain’t So, Joe: Biden’s Ill-Advised Plan to Eliminate Exclusionary Zoning
A counterintuitive argument contends that from a housing justice perspective, the Biden administration's attack on exclusionary zoning is imprudent.
The Financial Stability Plan
This morning, Treasury Secy. Timothy Geithner announced the Financial Stability Plan, geared to revive the banking system by way “attack our credit crisis on...
The Paradox of Prevailing Wage
The complicated relationship between the Davis-Bacon Act, Black construction workers, and Black-owned construction businesses in Boston.
Silence on the Stump
Talk of housing is notably absent from the presidential campaigns, but there are efforts underway trying to drive the housing issue home for good.
New York City Needs to Stop Negotiating Rezonings From an Uneven Playing Field
What is the underlying dynamic that leads so many council members in low-income communities of color to approve neighborhood rezonings, despite community opposition and the likelihood of increased displacement pressure on existing residents?
‘Ohana-Based Approach to Incentivized Youth Savings
How can we measure the impact of incentivized youth savings beyond just financial impacts?Hawai‘i Island ‘ohana participating in the...
Jack Kemp: Stalwart of the Party of Lincoln
Jack Kemp will be remembered for his many roles in public life — as the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, as U.S. Congressman (from...
Can We Demolish Our Way to Revitalization?
While the answer to that question in the title of this piece is obvious, there’s a strong case to...
Remaking HUD
Shaun Donovan, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick to head HUD, appears to be an indication that this could be the urban policy president we’ve been...
Latest Simulus Bill Draft
Find the latest version of the Senate bill here
Katrina: A Political Disaster
The handling of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath underscores the human disaster resulting from the ascendancy of right-wing ideas and corporate domination of the federal government, which extols market forces, individualism and private charity over public responsibility and the common good.
Asian Americans Key in Virginia Senate Race?
When I drafted this post, incumbent Virginia Senator Mark Warner held a narrow margin of victory over challenger Ed Gillespie (Warner has since declared victory, and Gillespie officially conceded). The race was bitterly contested, and the results are notable in that Asian Americans–with growing populations in Northern Virginia–were very likely determinative in Warner’s victory. UC […]
Housing Advocates—Seize This Moment!
I’ve been working to address housing affordability since the late 1970s. There has never been this much media and public focus on the issue.
How to Temper the Influence of Private Equity in Manufactured Housing
The risk of onerous lot rent increases and the fear of eviction are more threatening than ever as private equity enters the manufactured housing market.
Smart Choices Result in Balanced, Innovative Budget Proposal
The President’s FY14 budget represents a balanced approach to investment and deficit reduction. It recognizes the unique role that...
Beware the Scammers
This weekend I encountered a representative of an energy service company on my porch. He was flashing a badge at...
A Reality Check for Housing Affordability Advocates
The State of the Nation's Housing 2005 report shows that middle-income families are beginning to face the kinds of housing cost burden issues only the poor used to have.
Here’s What We Actually Know About Market-Rate Housing Development and Displacement
For-profit housing cannot meet most renters’ needs, and that’s by design. So when you talk about market-rate construction and displacement, use the following literature review as reference.
Lion of the Senate
We mourn the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy today not only for his definitive role in a significant slice of Americana, but also for...