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Policy
The rules of the game—and the attitudes of the players—have an enormous effect on community development work at all levels. Here we look at some of the conversations about how to shift that policy for the better.
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HUD’s FY 2027 Spending Bill Funds Vouchers—But Would Make Them Harder to Get
While not adjusting for inflation, the White House’s FY 2027 budget request otherwise maintains HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher funding, but proposed policy changes would make it harder for families to access and maintain assistance.
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Lessons for Washington from Three Mayors Whose Housing Strategies Won Them Second Terms
Baltimore, Boston, and Cleveland voters recently showed what happens when leaders loosen zoning and modernize permitting, while investing in community-scale development at the same time. Federal policymakers should take notes.
What Is TOPA?
A tenant opportunity to purchase act (TOPA) is a policy that gives tenants some specific rights when their building goes up for sale. Learn what it covers and what it doesn’t in this video.
Top 10 Shelterforce Stories of the Year
The year was marked by misinformation and confusion as the Trump administration made moves to cut HUD programming, as well as change the federal response to homelessness, housing discrimination, and more.
From Fines to Fixes: Rethinking Code Enforcement
We can upkeep homes without punishing low-income residents. Here are some lessons for change, and cities already doing that work on the ground.
What Happened to ‘Renter’s Choice’ Legislation?
Years ago, officials in dozens of cities and states showed interest in passing legislation that required landlords to accept alternatives to the traditional lump-sum security deposit. Today, much of that momentum has diminished.
‘We Are Forgotten Here’: As NYC Builds Seawalls, This Queens Community Feels Left Behind
A decade after city officials promised to cut flood risks in the Edgemere neighborhood, critics say it remains just as vulnerable.
What Makes a Habitable Rental Home?
Almost every state in the U.S. requires that landlords maintain safe and livable residential units. This is often called a “warranty of habitability.” In some places, there are laws that specify exactly what those requirements are; in others, the standards are less defined.
Program Mismatches Keep Repair Funds Unused
A Massachusetts initiative uncovers how fragmented programs make healthy homes harder to achieve—and helps local leaders reduce the friction.
Why We Must Fight for Housing First
Housing with preconditions means more people will cycle through shelters, jails, and the streets, fueling efforts to criminalize homelessness instead of solving it.
Why Habitability Is a Growing Rallying Cry
Across the country, tenants and lawmakers are pushing for better standards around mold, cooling, and more. How did we get here?
Opportunity Zones: Billionaire Handout or Housing Booster?
The OZ program unleashed billions in private capital. Whether it lifts neighborhoods or just investors hinges on who’s steering the money and how well they can navigate the system. Now that Congress has made OZs permanent, the stakes are even higher.
Which Housing Measures Passed in This Election?
Multiple states and localities brought affordable housing measures to the polls in 2025, to varying results.