February 22, 2024

A new grant program in Colorado will provide $30 million in temporary rental assistance to aid residents facing eviction amid record-high filings. The initiative aims to assist 3,700 households by June 30, offering up to five months’ rent or $10,000. Despite unprecedented demand, only a fraction of applicants will be funded.

A recent study found that millions of Black and Latinx middle-class adults will struggle to afford housing and health care as they age. By 2035, the number of middle-income older adults of color will double, yet they’re least likely to be able to afford expenses because disparities in wealth, homeownership, and financial assets compared with their white peers.

Many cities are overhauling zoning rules to tackle the affordable housing crisis by allowing more density, easing restrictions, and streamlining permitting processes. Minneapolis, a pioneer in zoning reform, saw a 12 percent increase in housing stock after ending single-family zoning.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing $3.5 million to the Chehalis Tribal and Quinault Housing Authorities for housing projects on their reservations. Part of the Indian Community Development Block Grant will support the Quinault Tribe’s initiative to relocate the village of Taholah because of rising sea levels threatening coastal lands, reflecting broader efforts to combat climate change and address housing needs in tribal communities.