AltWeeklies Wire
Will Ron Sims Be Able to Deliver What Seattle Housing Advocates Want?new

Local housing and community-development groups are attaching a boatload of hopes to Ron Sims' appointment as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, at a time when the federal government is already operating deep in the red.
Seattle Weekly |
Laura Onstot |
02-10-2009 |
Housing & Development
In Florida, If You Don't Own It, You Can't Save Itnew
While other states grant municipalities the right to go over the heads of private property owners in designating landmarks, Florida's law protects property owners from just that sort of thing. "Florida is a super-private property rights state," says city lawyer Karen Consalo. "We're very conservative like that."
Orlando Weekly |
Billy Manes |
12-04-2008 |
Housing & Development
More Than 9,000 Minnesotans are Homeless. I Decided to Join Them for a Weeknew
I don't claim to have experienced homelessness at its most hopeless, its most real, nor do I intend to trivialize the travails that go along with it. Nevertheless, it's hoped that this diary will provide a window into day-to-day affairs, maybe even practical advice for those who may soon find themselves battling the real thing.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
12-01-2008 |
Housing & Development
Vermont's Second-Home Market Hits the Skidsnew
In an economic downturn, the vacation-home market is more adversely affected than the primary-housing market, for the obvious reason that vacation homes are luxury items. And, since Vermont has one of the highest state rates of vacation homes in the nation, the state has been taking it on the chin.
Seven Days |
Ken Picard |
11-21-2008 |
Housing & Development
Why Are 'Green' Apartments So Rare in D.C.?new
"People say they want green, but they still want their SUV," says the CEO of DCRealEstate.com. "People want green when it comes to condominium apartments -- if they can have everything else for the same amount, they'll take it. But they often don't choose it."
Washington City Paper |
Ruth Samuelson |
11-20-2008 |
Housing & Development
One Philly 'Hood Debates How Best to Develop Abandoned Propertynew
Instead of allowing someone to develop empty lots and buildings in the neighborhood, the Norris Square Civic Association has held on to much of it. Sometimes, caught in the slow process of trying to do development on its own, it allows parcels ripe for renovation to languish.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Andrew Thompson |
11-18-2008 |
Housing & Development
Tumbleweed is a Rolling Home That Gathers No Mossnew

Jay Shafer and his friend Gregory Johnson have been driving down the West Coast preaching the tiny-house gospel, pulling the house behind them on a trailer.
L.A. Weekly |
Gendy Alimurung |
11-07-2008 |
Housing & Development
The Battle for Black Bear Crossingnew

Tsuu T'ina elders fight for their homes in Black Bear Crossing, a former military housing complex on the border of Calgary's city limits
Fast Forward Weekly |
Jeremy Klaszus |
10-30-2008 |
Housing & Development
Home Sweet Parking Lotnew

When a workingman doesn't have a home in Johnson County, a Wal-Mart parking lot is the next best thing.
The Pitch |
Nadia Pflaum |
09-09-2008 |
Housing & Development
Rural King County Residents Fight Environmental Restrictions Imposed by Seattleitesnew
A recent ruling, if it stands, could serve as a new barbed-wire fence keeping the urban politicians, and their green agendas, out of the rural landowners' backyards. But, in the eyes of some King County politicians, that would come at a severe environmental cost.
Seattle Weekly |
Laura Onstot |
09-09-2008 |
Housing & Development
Deutsche Bank Lets Kansas City Rotnew
Deutsche Bank is the largest owner of foreclosed properties in Greater Kansas City. In Jackson County, the bank holds titles to 350 foreclosures. Some of their properties are sickly enough to depress an entire block.
The Pitch |
David Martin |
08-26-2008 |
Housing & Development
New High-Rise Condos Betting on Nashville's Pursuit of Coolnew
Welcome to the new Nashville skyline: It's frighteningly high, undeniably modern and so ... money. It's no Nashville you've ever seen, because it's every bit an image straight out of Miami or Los Angeles -- or at least a show set there.
Nashville Scene |
Tracy Moore |
08-22-2008 |
Housing & Development
The Foreclosure Crisis Meets Homelessness in the Nevada Desertnew

By matching homeowners who have empty houses with homeless folks who need shelter, Calvin Leslie feels he's doing Las Vegas a service while making himself a little money. Some neighbors disagree.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Tovin Lapan |
08-22-2008 |
Housing & Development
Anti-casino Activists Prepare to Go Nuclear With Beach Toysnew
On Saturday, members of Casino-Free Philadelphia walked to the proposed site of Foxwoods Casino on Columbus Boulevard, carrying beach balls, umbrellas, liquid bubbles and floaties.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Andrew Thompson |
08-19-2008 |
Housing & Development
After 36 Years Without, Some Residents of La Presa, Texas, Finally Get Electricitynew

For 36 years, the people in this dusty, sweltering colonia south of Laredo, have lived without electricity, potable water, or an adequate sewage system. Now an innovative experiment is bringing power to a dozen lucky residents. While the wheels of bureaucracy turned slowly or not at all, residents suffered, despite many applications for assistance from state and local government.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
08-13-2008 |
Housing & Development