November 02, 2023

The White House launched a new plan that encourages office-to-residential conversions through financing and technical assistance. Projects near public transit will receive below-market financing, and the federal housing funds available for projects will be expanded for these conversions. A guidebook featuring more than 20 federal programs across six agencies is also being released to support these efforts, with a focus on sustainability and affordability.

A recent California-based study reveals students in foster care and students experiencing homelessness are more likely to face out-of-school suspensions, with 77 days of instruction lost for every 100 foster students and 26 days for students experiencing homelessness. New legislation seeks to ban such suspensions statewide, focusing on in-school interventions rather than suspensions.

A Government Accountability Office report shows that federal oversight of land might hinder Native American homeownership. Most tribal land is held in trust by the government, requiring US Bureau of Indian Affairs approval for real estate transactions. Any delays could expose Native homeowners to rising interest rates and construction costs. “Because it’s a long and cumbersome process, it has discouraged many lenders from being active on tribal lands,” said Nancy Pindus, an Urban Institute senior fellow.

In Washington, new state building codes aimed at protecting properties in wildfire-prone areas have faced opposition from builders, cities, and environmentalists. The codes require fire-resistant materials in construction and “defensible space” around buildings. Critics claim the codes and map defining these areas is confusing, inconsistent, and sometimes inaccurate. They argue the rules may raise housing costs and could have environmental consequences.