All articles tagged with #housing policy
President Trump touts early gains in housing affordability as mortgage rates fall and existing home sales rebound, with supporting income growth. He also signals further relief by directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities and by curbing large institutional investors’ single-family purchases, while pledging to cut red tape and boost supply to restore the dream of homeownership.
Two New Hampshire bills would tax second homes and unoccupied properties: a 0.75% levy on second homes valued at $500,000+ that would go to the local municipality, and a 'supplemental residence tax' requiring owners to pay the state the equivalent of their property tax if the home sits empty six months a year or is rented seasonally. Revenue projections range from about $15 million annually to more than $900 million, sparking debate over implementation and fairness; supporters say it could address housing and community funding needs while critics, including real estate and vacation rental interests, call it punitive. Gov. Ayotte and lawmakers say more housing units are needed and these measures will be reviewed in subcommittees.
Fortune argues that banning large institutional buyers from single‑family homes would do little to ease prices in the near term since institutions own only about 1% of stock and the affordability crunch stems from a 6‑million‑home shortage caused by zoning limits and easy monetary policy. Ed Pinto says these investors can act as a stabilizer—providing rentals and upgrades—so pulling them out could worsen downturns and reduce supply when demand returns. The real fix, he says, is to unlock much more home construction to meet demand.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani defends appointee Cea Weaver amid backlash over old social media posts linking homeownership to white supremacy and calling for property seizure, emphasizing her tenant advocacy record despite criticism from officials and the public.
Kevin O'Leary met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the 'Marty Supreme' premiere, found him to be a pleasant and charismatic individual, and plans to discuss housing policies with him, despite previous criticisms of Mamdani's proposals.
Maryland's government cites a 96,000-unit housing underproduction as a key statistic to address the state's housing shortage, but experts warn that this figure is complex and does not directly reflect the number of unhoused people, highlighting ongoing challenges in housing affordability and policy solutions.
Rent control policies, despite their popularity among populists, tend to worsen housing affordability by reducing supply, discouraging maintenance, and increasing initial rents, as evidenced by examples from Minneapolis, St. Paul, Los Angeles, and international cases. Cities repeatedly implement these policies, often leading to negative outcomes like decreased building permits and higher initial rents, with some regions like Argentina experiencing rent drops after abolishing controls. Experts warn that rent caps are counterproductive and suggest alternative approaches to address housing affordability.
The median age of first-time homebuyers in the US has risen to 40, reflecting a severe housing affordability crisis that delays wealth-building opportunities and alters societal trends, with policy changes needed to address the supply and accessibility issues.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, a millennial leader and president of the Democratic Mayors’ Association, emphasizes the impatience and entrepreneurial spirit of his generation, advocates for federal and local policy reforms on housing and healthcare, and calls for greater listening by D.C. Democrats to city mayors to address crises effectively.
Andrew Cuomo proposed 'Zohran's Law,' a controversial housing policy that would impose income limits on tenants applying for rent-stabilized apartments, but the proposal faces skepticism from lawmakers and tenant advocates, and appears unlikely to be adopted.
The Trump administration plans to review the Federal Reserve's renovation project amid political tensions, while also addressing issues related to housing costs, US-EU trade conflicts, and SpaceX contracts, amidst broader geopolitical and economic developments worldwide.
A study from NYU warns that the Trump administration's proposal to impose a two-year time limit on rental assistance could displace over 1 million low-income families, including many working families and children, potentially causing significant disruption and administrative challenges, with little evidence of successful implementation from pilot programs.
Zohran Mamdani's successful mayoral campaign in NYC highlights a pragmatic approach to implementing socialist policies, focusing on housing reform, public investment, and police accountability, while emphasizing the importance of mobilizing support and leveraging city authority to address affordability and social justice issues.
A Harvard report highlights that U.S. housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable, with home prices reaching record highs and a significant portion of renters spending over 30% of their income on housing, contributing to rising homelessness and economic strain, especially for low-income Americans.
The article discusses how Cuomo's decision in 2011 to cut state funding for the Advantage rental voucher program contributed to a rise in homelessness in New York City, highlighting a pattern of shifting social service costs from the state to the city and the long-term impacts of these policies on housing and homelessness.