March 02, 2023

In Lutherville, Maryland, a battle over building a mixed-use project near the light-rail station underscores the barriers to developing public transportation in the suburbs. A local developer is hoping to build 400 apartments, offices, retail, and green space near the station, but local resident pushback could halt the transit-oriented development.

A recent New York City directive prohibits drop-in centers for homeless and runaway youth from allowing clients to sleep overnight. Providers are worried what this could mean for clients, with one center refusing the order. “If the city threatens us and takes away our funding, I will continue to let our clients sleep, because that’s what’s at stake, their mental health is at stake,” said Alexander Roque, who runs a center serving LGBTQ youth.

A new report by real estate–software company RealPage found the housing market is “rapidly shifting in favor of renters.” An increase in the number of empty apartments, reduced demand, and an approaching influx of apartment supply could lead to nationwide rent decreases after years of hefty hikes.

A proposed Oregon bill would introduce the first statewide basic universal income pilot program. The bill would appropriate $25 million from the state’s general fund to create the People’s Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program, which would provide two years’ worth of monthly $1,000 payments to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and people who are severely rent burdened.