October 19, 2023

Salt Lake City is considering a package of zoning changes to encourage the construction of more affordable homes, especially smaller ones, in response to a housing shortage. The proposed incentives include adjustments to encourage “missing middle” housing, including changing existing rules for residential, mixed-use, and commercial areas and offering benefits such as increased building height and design flexibility for property owners who include affordable units.

Oregon is piloting projects that leverage Medicaid funds to provide housing and rent for people experiencing or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. The state is committing $1 billion to these initiatives, working with nonprofit organizations and outreach workers to secure and sustain housing for people experiencing housing insecurity. Several pilot projects are currently underway, with a three-year plan to expand the program.

The Pentagon’s schools, serving more than 66,000 military students, have achieved remarkable educational outcomes, outscoring all jurisdictions on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The US Department of Defense’s well-funded, racially integrated, and centralized structure, along with access to housing, health care, and competitive salaries for teachers, contributes to their success. “Having as many of those basic needs met does help set the scene for learning to occur,” said Jessica Thorne, the principal at E.A. White Elementary.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development introduced new policies allowing homebuyers to use rental income from accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for Federal Housing Administration–insured mortgages. These policies aim to provide affordable mortgage credit for those purchasing, adding, or building properties with ADUs. This flexibility is designed to help first-time homebuyers, seniors, and intergenerational families create generational wealth.