Shelterforce Resource

Explainers

Housing and community development can be complex, and no one is an expert on every corner of it. Even the experts sometimes have trouble breaking down what they know for others. Shelterforce explainers will help you introduce yourself to new topics, and to explain key points and frequently asked questions to others. Have a topic youโ€™d like covered in an explainer? Send it to [email protected]

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Housing

What’s an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

The cost of housing has skyrocketed across the United States. As a response, some states and localities have legalized accessory dwelling units in hopes of expanding the supply of affordable housing. But what are ADUs?

Explainers

Alphabet Soup: Breaking Down All Those Housing and Community Development Terms

Confused by the acronyms and initials dotting your reading material? All fields have them, and housing is no exception. Hereโ€™s what many of the most common mean.

Explainers

What Is NIMBYism and How Do Affordable Housing Developers Respond to It?

NIMBYism is often expressed as concerns about crime, congestion, schools, property values, and โ€œquality of life.โ€ But when developments are built these fears rarely come to pass.

An image with the word gentrification over and over again in different fonts and colors.
Neighborhood Change

What Does ‘Gentrification’ Really Mean?

The word “gentrification” has become a widespread and highly debated term. Weโ€™ve found that there are (at least) four broad kinds of things that people mean when they say they are concerned about โ€œgentrification.”

Explainers

Understanding Community Land Trusts

What are CLTs? How do they work? What are the benefits and areas of concern? An overview.

A sofa and two matching chairs in pink upholstery are piled up on the sidewalk, next to a mattress.
The Answer

Q: Does the CDCโ€™s Extension of the Eviction Moratorium Mean No One Is Being Evicted Now?

Even with the moratorium in place through July 31, there have been and will continue to be many, many Americans who lose their homes.

The Answer

Q: Who Enforces CRA?

Why are there three different agencies enforcing the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA? Who does each agency enforce it on?

The Answer

Q: What Do All These Rent Regulation Terms Mean?

As rents have been rising, organizing for rent regulations have gained steam. However, the terms used to describe rent regulations can be unclear.

The Answer

Q: Did Extending More Credit to Subprime Borrowers Cause the Foreclosure Crisis?

There are people who believe that the foreclosure crisis occurred because too many unqualified borrowers became homeowners. What actually happened was …

The Answer

Q: Is Rental Housing a Rural Issue?

Yes! Although homeownership rates are higher in rural areas, there is still a significant rural population that needs rental housing.

The Answer

Q: Can Including Rent and Utility Payments in Credit Scores Reduce Racial Disparities in Lending?

Including rent and utility payments in credit reports and scoring models can increase credit scores, and reduce racial disparities in credit scores.

Does Airbnb Cause Rents to Increase? Yes it does. This graphic explains how.
The Answer

Q: Does Airbnb Cause Rents to Increase?

A: Yes! Since hosts can make 50 to 200 percent more on short-term rentals than on long-term rentals, Airbnb affects purchase prices as well.

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