Author Archive
Molly Bolan
Management
‘Disaster gentrification’ looms over Lahaina
The Hawaii city is recovering after a wildfire killed at least 115 people and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings. A top concern for officials is preventing local residents from being priced out.
Management
Cities turn to GIS mapping to find housing for the homeless
As a nationwide housing shortage continues to push people into homelessness, cities like Denver and Los Angeles are turning to data to help locate public land to put housing on.
Management
New White House office will work with communities to curb gun violence
The office will look to build off of last year’s landmark gun legislation and has been applauded by national local government associations who have called gun violence an “incredibly serious issue in America.”
Workforce
A $10K incentive opens the door to homeownership for city employees
In a bid to attract and retain workers, Baltimore will double its financial incentive for city employees who purchase a home in one of its “middle neighborhoods.”
Management
Devil in the details: How outdated zoning code stymies development
With an analysis of its antiquated zoning laws and a newly restructured planning department, Boston is laying the groundwork to address housing shortages and meet its sustainability goals.
Workforce
What does it mean when the homeless workforce can’t afford housing?
It means there’s fewer people to help the unhoused, exacerbating the homelessness crisis, a new report says. It estimates that $4.8 billion is needed to adequately pay current workers.
Management
How cutting red tape can encourage housing conversions
By streamlining zoning and broadening eligibility for adaptive reuse programs, Los Angeles and Kissimmee, Florida, encourage developers to convert business properties to desperately needed housing.
Management
Geospatial tech can help cities get ahead of real estate speculators
With insights from property analytics, cities can craft better policies to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing for local residents.
Management
More public sector workers needed. Lots more.
Without more staff, state and local governments may not be able to compete for federal funding programs—or deliver on grants they win.
Management
To solve the affordable housing crisis, some communities are turning to hotels
The pandemic presented communities with a unique opportunity to convert hotels into residential spaces, creating everything from temporary transitional housing to long-term supportive homes. But is the model sustainable today?
Management
Prevention pays off: How one city may soon end family homelessness
Milwaukee’s community leaders and social services organizations are setting common goals and directing resources toward keeping families from becoming homeless in the first place.
Featured eBooks
Finance
What if we had fully funded safety net programs?
With 100% participation rates in fully funded social services, poverty nationwide would decrease by nearly a third and 4.8 million kids would be lifted out of poverty, according to a new study from the Urban Institute.
Management
Governments have faith that church property can help solve the housing crisis
Cities and states are addressing zoning and funding challenges to help faith-based organizations transition underutilized property into affordable housing.
Finance
What happens when high-earners leave cities, taking their spending power with them?
Urban-to-rural migration can shrink a municipality’s tax base, reduce property values and slow new business development, a new report says. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Management
Housing-first interventions, not policing, key to ending homelessness
New data shows that government assistance during the pandemic dramatically reduced homelessness. So why are cities and states increasingly turning to criminalization to address the issue?
Management
Emergency rental assistance programs do more than provide cash assistance
Beyond covering rent, the federal funding laid the groundwork for improved partnerships with courts and data integration that will help communities continue providing support.
Infrastructure
HUD offers $85M to communities actively eliminating housing barriers
Through the competitive grant program, state and local governments can address some of the obstacles to expanding affordable housing.
Finance
State child tax credits can reduce poverty, but only if families apply
Since the federal child tax credit expired at the end of 2021, 11 states have enacted their own fully refundable versions. But for them to be as successful as the federal credit, states have to get the word out.
Management
What it’s like to be a homeless woman
A recent survey of unhoused women sheds light on an oft-overlooked and little understood problem. As the number of homeless women grows, so do their concerns about safety and privacy.
Digital Government