The proposed program could shrink the racial homeownership gap while serving a wide cross-section of people. But it only addresses some of the results of past discrimination. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute reads her latest piece, "Targeting First-Generation Homebuyers Is a Great Way to Direct Downpayment Assistance—And It Could Be Better."

Read the op-ed at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/28/targeting-first-generation-homebuyers-is-a-great-way-to-direct-downpayment-assistance-and-it-could-be-better/

Rapidly rising insurance premiums are forcing affordable housing developers to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and even sell. To add insult to injury, some insurers also seem to be adding penalties or withdrawing coverage for housing voucher holders. John Ludas reads, "Soaring Property Insurance Rates Threaten Affordable Housing Development," written by Franklin Schneider.

Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/26/soaring-property-insurance-rates-threaten-affordable-housing-development/

A survey of Cambridge, Massachusetts, residents found that residents of affordable units in inclusionary housing properties reported frequently experiencing bias, especially from management. How can we can change that? Mark Ludas reads, "Low-Income Residents of Inclusionary Housing Report Facing More Bias," written by Alexandra Curley, Judith Gonyea, Colette Ngana, and Alyssa Nickell.

Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/16/low-income-residents-of-inclusionary-housing-report-facing-more-bias/

There are reforms and expansions of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit afoot. But some in the field argue that we need to change the tax credit model of financing housing more deeply—or move away from it entirely. Join scholars and organizers as they discuss these issues and explore a path forward.

Watch the video and read the transcript here: https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/15/lihtc-are-little-changes-enough-a-shelterforce-webinar/

As she retires from three decades as executive director of a housing authority in Georgia, Sandra Hudson reflects on her accomplishments. John Ludas reads, "Longtime PHA Exec Reflects on Three Decades of Work in Georgia," written by D. Amari Jackson.

Read the full story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/22/a-sustainable-model-for-public-housing-longtime-pha-exec-reflects-on-three-decades-of-work-in-georgia/

Four disability advocates and experts explain what's needed to house Americans with disabilities and some of the work that's being done to get there. Shelterforce's Miriam Axel-Lute hosts, "Getting to More Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing," a webinar featuring:

—Anita Cameron, director of minority outreach for Not Dead Yet.

—Chelsea Hayman, director of housing policy and programs for Maryland’s Department of Disabilities.

—Hunter Herrera-McFarland, policy associate for The Kelsey, an organization that creates and works on disability-forward housing solutions.

—Shelly Richardson, executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois.

Read the transcript and watch the video at https://shelterforce.org/2024/03/01/getting-to-more-accessible-affordable-inclusive-housing-a-shelterforce-webinar/

They've helped more than 100 New York City renters fight source-of-income discrimination and find housing. How did this partnership begin and what lessons can they offer others? Damaly Gonzalez reads, "An Unlikely Collaboration—Real Estate Agent Joins Community Organization to Help Voucher Holders," in Shelterforce.

Read the full story at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/09/an-unlikely-collaboration-real-estate-agent-joins-community-organization-to-help-voucher-holders/

We sort out the different meanings of the term as it's used in the health sector and in the community organizing sector. Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "What Does ‘Community Benefit’ Mean?"

See the full explainer at https://shelterforce.org/2024/01/23/q-what-does-community-benefit-mean/

There’s no denying that affordable housing can be expensive to build. But we need to look at the long-term benefits of those investments to see the bigger picture. Miriam Axel-Lute reads, "Legitimate Debate or Short-Sighted Complaints? 5 Reasons Affordable Housing Is Expensive to Build," her latest piece for Shelterforce.

Read the piece at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/02/5-reasons-affordable-housing-is-expensive-to-build/

The assessments that evaluate a bank’s lending practices have improved, but there are several missed opportunities for reform. For one, the new rules won't incorporate a racial analysis into lending examinations. Kevin Hill reads, "How the New CRA Rule Will Help, and Where It Falls Short."

Read the full article at https://shelterforce.org/2024/02/01/how-the-new-cra-rule-will-help-and-where-it-falls-short/