Author Archive

Molly Bolan

Molly Bolan
Molly Bolan is the assistant editor at Route Fifty. She previously covered education for The Keene Sentinel in her home state of New Hampshire.
Finance

Republican Governors Urge Biden to Rescind New Mortgage Rule

The 18 governors argue that changes to mortgage fees for federally backed loans meant to improve housing affordability actually hurts the housing system.

Management

How One State Is Tackling Child Care Challenges

Like much of the country, Michigan is navigating a shortage of child care providers. But federal funds, paired with efficient coordination between state agencies, has helped support hundreds of new providers in just one year.

Management

Funding for Rental Assistance is Ending, But Need Continues

Some states are working to develop programs that will pick up where pandemic-era programs are leaving off.

Health & Human Services

New Initiative Will Help Cities Reduce Homelessness

The program will “embed” federal officials in six cities to help local officials get people off the streets and into homes more quickly.

Management

Did Your Town Make This List of Best-Performing Cities?

The Milken Institute is out with its annual report ranking the economic performance of more than 400 metropolitan areas. Here’s what it takes to be a booming city.

Infrastructure

Billions in Loans and Grants to Make Multifamily Homes Energy Efficient

Incentives for green retrofitting often target individual homeowners. A new federal program will fund energy-efficient and climate-resilient upgrades in multifamily homes, which can improve the quality of life of historically underserved populations.

Health & Human Services

AGs Urge Action on Households' Invisible Plastic Waste

In a letter, 17 Democratic state attorneys general called on the federal government to address "microfibers," the tiny bits of plastic most clothing sheds in washing machines.

Management

The Complications of Land-Use Reform

Colorado needs more homes. Research shows land-use reforms typically result in just that. So why did a massive land-use bill die in the state Senate this week?

Health & Human Services

States Take Up Bills to Confront Youth Homelessness

From couch surfing to living in the streets, it is easy to overlook young people experiencing homelessness. That’s changing.

Health & Human Services

New Data Sheds Light on Impact of Expanded SNAP Benefits on Households

A Census survey found that 1 in 4 households where enhanced food aid ended March 1 now report “sometimes” or “often” not having enough to eat.

Management

States Look to Make Companies Take Responsibility for Hard-to-Recycle Packaging

As plastic piles up, bills that shift the financial cost of recycling to the producers are gaining traction. The results have been mixed this legislative season, but history suggests extended producer responsibility bills are ultimately successful.

Management

State Laws on Reproductive Services, Divisive Concepts Influence Enrollment Decisions

As students consider all the reasons to choose one college or another, state laws are a new factor for some to weigh.

Health & Human Services

City’s ‘Displacement Prevention Navigators’ Aim to Help Neighbors Remain in Homes

Austin, Texas, will train city residents to help people find the resources they need to stay in their homes when rents and property taxes rise.

Finance

Researchers Identify Ways to Replicate Success of Expanded Child Tax Credit

Working through community organizations that locals trust is the most effective way to increase the use of programs meant to lift people out of poverty, a study finds.

Infrastructure

Is Land-Use Reform the Missing Tool in Combating Climate Change?

A new report argues that rezoning for more mixed-use and transit-oriented developments could significantly reduce carbon emissions and help meet global climate goals.

Infrastructure

Housing Permits Dip for First Time in a Decade

The slowdown could impact state and city efforts to increase the number of affordable homes.

Health & Human Services

Fight Between States Could Determine Fate of Abortion Pills

A tangle of lawsuits has prohibited, protected and limited access to a common medication for abortion. While long-term decisions have yet to be made, some states are planning ahead. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

Management

Do Zoning Reforms Benefit Renters?

A new study suggests updated land-use regulations are slow to help low-income households.

Infrastructure

An Initiative to Fawn Over: Funding for Wildlife Crossings Now Available

The grants will help state and local governments prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve connections between habitats.

Tech & Data

The Barriers to Getting More Unconnected Households Online

A federal program meant to connect low-income households to the internet isn’t reaching all the people it is supposed to. Here’s how to change that.