News Roundup

  • New York Public Housing Tenants Trapped in Squalid Living Conditions
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    During the pandemic, New York City public housing tenants have been confined to buildings with dismal living conditions, including mold, leaks, broken elevators, and no heat or cooking gas. The NYC Housing Authority, the largest public housing system, is struggling to overcome a backlog of open work orders and has deferred much repair and maintenance work because of COVID-19 and insufficient federal funding. “[The NYC Housing Authority] is working to address these issues while taking all federal, state, and local public health guidelines into consideration for the safety of residents and staff,” stated Laura Feyer, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio.

  • COVID-19 Is Hitting Veterans Homes Hard
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    Much like other long-term care facilities, government-run veterans homes are hot spots for COVID-19 cases and are at the center of some of the nation’s deadliest outbreaks. Investigations of 150 veterans homes revealed neglect, verbal abuse, chronic understaffing, infection and hygiene issues, and lack of tests and protective gear. The Government Accountability Office criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs’ oversight and failure to ensure problems were resolved.

  • Spokane Planning Department Says It’s Building Enough Housing, Critics Say Otherwise
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    According to a Housing Action Plan study by the City of Spokane, Washington, the city is building sufficient housing, and rents have increased more slowly than renters’ incomes. Critics disagree, saying the report doesn’t reflect housing market realities or frequent claims that Spokane has a housing crisis. Even Mayor Nadine Woodward and other city officials acknowledge a disconnect between the report and the experience of real estate professionals and homebuyers.
  • Proposed Legislation Would Provide Immediate Housing Assistance during Disasters
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    US Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) proposed legislation that would establish a new housing assistance program for people who are forced to leave their home or at risk of losing their home because of a natural or economic disaster. It would trigger rental assistance from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and vouchers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.