Discussion: Housing, Homelessness, Urban Development, Gentrification, and Other Housing Issues

[blueharvest]

We Found That Landlords Could Be Using Algorithms to Fix Rent Prices. Now Lawmakers Want to Make the Practice Illegal.

After a ProPublica investigation, U.S. senators introduced a bill to curb “price fixing” linked to rent-setting software. “Setting prices with an algorithm is no different from doing it over cigars and whiskey in a private club,” said one sponsor.

www.propublica.org

 

[blueharvest]

Congress scrambles to fix housing as prices soar

The calls for action are "growing exponentially," Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said, with high interest rates squeezing supply.

www.politico.com

 

[squeekness]

Congress scrambles to fix housing as prices soar

The calls for action are "growing exponentially," Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said, with high interest rates squeezing supply.

www.politico.com

Does Congress have any real control over housing prices?

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

 

[blueharvest]

Giving landlords too much power is never a good thing.

 

[blueharvest]

LA council votes tenants can't be evicted for unauthorized pets adopted during pandemic

The COVID-era pet protection policy was set to expire Jan. 31, so council members worked to pass the law before that time as the city's six animal shelters are already at full or near-full capacity.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[squeekness]

LA council votes tenants can't be evicted for unauthorized pets adopted during pandemic

The COVID-era pet protection policy was set to expire Jan. 31, so council members worked to pass the law before that time as the city's six animal shelters are already at full or near-full capacity.

www.cbsnews.com

Good. We don't need more pets on the street.

 

[blueharvest]

Florida could adopt new solution to homeless crisis: camps

The unusual idea running through Tallahassee has the support of a key homeless advocate — and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

www.tampabay.com

 

[squeekness]

I suppose it would depend on what the camps looked like. It shouldn't be a prison......

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

I just hope the maintenance can be kept up to standard.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Feds Bust Massive NYC Public Housing Bribery Ring, Arrest Dozens of Allegedly Corrupt Officials

The arrest of 70 current and former New York City Housing Authority officials is the biggest single-day bribery bust in the DOJ’s history.

www.vice.com

 

[blueharvest]

This is great news. Hopefully they'll all be prosecuted.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Christian Bale unveils plans to build 12 foster homes in California

The Batman actor has been developing the idea since the birth of his daughter in 2005, after being ‘stunned and mad’ to learn how many children were in care in California

www.theguardian.com

 

[squeekness]

Christian Bale unveils plans to build 12 foster homes in California

The Batman actor has been developing the idea since the birth of his daughter in 2005, after being ‘stunned and mad’ to learn how many children were in care in California

www.theguardian.com

Nice! Good for him.

 

[blueharvest]

What if public housing were for everyone?

Local governments are trying a new way to address the housing crisis.

www.vox.com

 

[blueharvest]

New House bill would finally make it clear squatting a criminal act in Georgia

The Georgia Squatter Reform Act would make it clear that squatting is a crime to be handled by police.

www.wsbtv.com

 

[blueharvest]

California lawmakers try to address homelessness with new proposed encampment ban

A new bill in California aims to ban homeless encampments near "sensitive community areas" statewide.

abcnews.go.com

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

US unions target the housing affordability crisis as their ‘biggest issue’

Organized labor across the country is now setting its sights on housing costs as rents and mortgages continue to soar

www.theguardian.com

'The least affordable housing market in recent memory': Why now is a great time to rent

Generations of consumers have embraced homeownership as part of the American dream. Lately, though, it looks more like a pipe dream.

www.usatoday.com

Because housing has been turned into an investment scheme like stocks, bitcoin, and NFTs for the wealthy.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

A loophole got him a free New York hotel stay for five years. Then he claimed to own the building

A man who succeeded in using a New York City housing law to live rent-free in an iconic hotel has been charged with fraud after he claimed to own it.

apnews.com

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

Wait, it wasn't Trump?

 

[blueharvest]

A loophole got him a free New York hotel stay for five years. Then he claimed to own the building

A man who succeeded in using a New York City housing law to live rent-free in an iconic hotel has been charged with fraud after he claimed to own it.

apnews.com

Prime example of not knowing when to quit. He went from having a free apartment in NYC to a free jail cell.

 

[blueharvest]

Gov. Whitmer sits down with News Channel 3 to explain affordable housing initiative

As housing costs shoot up across the state, Michiganders are feeling they can’t compete.Governor Gretchen Whitmer, is addressing this issue and planning to spen

wwmt.com

 

[blueharvest]

The Supreme Court Is on the Verge of Criminalizing Homelessness

As the high court deliberates, policymakers are preparing for the possibility that they might solve a problem they created in the most punitive way.

newrepublic.com

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

 

[blueharvest]

Good news for renters in those states.