May 23, 2024

A study by Education Northwest found that housing assistance significantly improved graduation rates for community college students experiencing homelessness in Tacoma, Washington. The College Housing Assistance Program, created by Tacoma Community College and the Tacoma Housing Authority, helped students secure stable housing through rent vouchers, leading to higher retention and graduation rates compared with peers.

Austin City Council enacted significant land-use reforms to address the city’s housing affordability crisis. The new measures reduce the minimum lot size for single-family homes and allow denser housing development, particularly near planned light-rail lines. The reforms mark a significant shift toward pro development policies.

Centene, America’s largest Medicaid insurer, will invest nearly $1 billion in affordable housing across eight states. Partnering with affordable housing developer McCormack Baron Salazar, Centene aims to create thousands of housing units through below-market loans. This move reflects a growing understanding that social factors, like housing, significantly influence health outcomes.

A new Arizona law mandates that landlords allow cooling methods, such as air-conditioning units, in mobile and manufactured homes. The law, effective immediately, addresses heat-related risks for residents who are disproportionately affected by heat-related illnesses and deaths.