State & Local Policy
The Latest

How Social Housing Won in Seattle, Despite a Flood of Big Tech Money
Voters chose to provide a new social housing development authority with the funding it needs to succeed—despite opposition from the mayor and tech corporations.
Explore Articles in this Topic
Search & Filter Within this Topic
filter by Content Type
filter by Date Range
search by Keyword
How Education and Housing Advocates Worked Together to Win More Rental Assistance
In Maryland, parents and school leaders joined with housing advocates to win additional rental assistance, targeted to families in the state’s community schools.
In New Jersey, Pivotal Affordable Housing Decision Turns 50
The Mount Laurel Doctrine is credited with helping to create 75,000 affordable homes in New Jersey. But, of course, it hasn’t been a simple panacea either.
How We Organized to Keep Mobile Home Park Residents in Their Homes
After residents got notice that their mobile home park was going up for sale, advocates made use of a Virginia law that required the owners to consider a resident-supported counteroffer.
‘Anti-Displacement Tool’ to Direct City Funding to Projects that Won’t Price Out Residents
After a years-long, tenant-led effort, Louisville will use a new tool to analyze whether a proposed housing development can meet a neighborhood’s housing needs and income levels. If it doesn’t, the city won’t subsidize it.
The YIGBY Movement—Unlocking Church-Owned Land for Affordable Housing
As the housing crisis deepens, interest in faith-based development is spreading across the country. How do “Yes In God’s Backyard (YIGBY)” zoning laws work, where are they being implemented or introduced, and what could it mean for communities and churches?
Trump Wants to Force Homeless People into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?
The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what’s coming, we should look to what states have already done
Condos—a Key Source of Affordable Housing for Homeowners—Are in Jeopardy
Decades of increasing costs and deferred maintenance could lead to people losing their homes, unless changes are made.
What has Measure ULA Done so Far?
Los Angeles has imposed an additional tax on luxury home sales to generate millions for housing efforts in the city. Shelterforce checks in on where the money has gone, and what’s to come.
Florida Organizers Look for Ways to Help Tenants Despite a Hostile State Government
A law prohibiting localities from passing stronger tenant-landlord laws than the state’s severely hampers tenant organizing and advocacy—but it doesn’t prevent it.
Housing on the Ballot
We’ve tracked down almost three dozen housing-related ballot measures that will be up for vote on Nov. 5. With billions at stake, those measures could be a boon—or a bust—for affordable housing efforts across the U.S.
How a Dallas Housing Coalition Won Bonds for Affordable Housing
Dallas’s bonds aren’t usually used for housing. A new coalition of advocates changed that.
We’re Approaching Social Housing Wrong
Components common to most U.S. social housing proposals are bound to replicate problems we already have.