March 07, 2024

Baltimore’s public housing sites face high rates of failure in federal inspections, with one in three properties receiving health and safety violations. Issues include cockroaches, fire hazards, and mold. A backlog in funds for repairs and a shortage of affordable housing exacerbate the problem.

Arlington, Virginia, is reconsidering immigration status requirements for low-income housing grants, potentially making undocumented residents eligible. The change aims to prevent displacement amid rising rents. While not universally supported, it aligns with plans to expand the Housing Grants Program.

In New Haven, Connecticut, a new program offers free housing to early childhood educators to combat low pay and high living costs. The program aims to stabilize teachers facing homelessness, potentially serving as a national model.

A 2023 report from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services found that 78 percent of young adults ages 18 to 24 experience homelessness within a year of exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment. To address this, House Bill 1929 proposes allocating funds for residential programs offering housing and support services for young people transitioning from treatment.