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

[blueharvest]

 

[blueharvest]

Republicans’ budding interest in Texas’ housing crisis could create strange political bedfellows

Republican lawmakers may try to force Texas cities to allow greater housing density as the state faces a housing crunch.

www.texastribune.org

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

FTC and DOJ File Statement of Interest in Hotel Room Algorithmic Price-Fixing Case

The Federal Trade Commission joined by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a statement of interest with the Distri

www.ftc.gov

 

[blueharvest]

Lessons from the National Association of Realtors settlement for the 2024 election

You can’t make music if you don’t blow your own horn.

thehill.com

 

[blueharvest]

It’s cheaper to rent than buy a starter home in top 50 US metros: Report

Due to rising mortgage rates and falling rents, it’s cheaper to rent than buy a starter home in every one of the country’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, according to new data from Real…

thehill.com

 

[squeekness]

It’s cheaper to rent than buy a starter home in top 50 US metros: Report

Due to rising mortgage rates and falling rents, it’s cheaper to rent than buy a starter home in every one of the country’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, according to new data from Real…

thehill.com

I'm not surprised, but rents aren't cheap either.

 

[Erzengel]

I think I just looked up average rent near me and it's $2,500 according to Zillow. Business insider says that the average mortgage payment in the US is $2,883. I'm not sure if that includes taxes. But in the same article it says average mortgage for my state is $2,553. At least with a house you can have multigenerational family paying the mortgage together.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Canada to launch $6B housing infrastructure fund, will need provincial buy-in

The federal government is launching a new $6 billion 'Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund' meant to speed up construction and upgrade key components needed to support building more homes such as waste and water infrastructure.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[squeekness]

I think I just looked up average rent near me and it's $2,500 according to Zillow. Business insider says that the average mortgage payment in the US is $2,883. I'm not sure if that includes taxes. But in the same article it says average mortgage for my state is $2,553. At least with a house you can have multigenerational family paying the mortgage together.

You certainly can't do it on one paycheck.

 

[blueharvest]

Democrats argue against criminalization of unhoused people in Supreme Court brief

A host of Democratic legislators have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in opposition to subjecting unhoused people to criminal penalties. Led by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), 18 Democrats ar…

thehill.com

 

[Erzengel]

You certainly can't do it on one paycheck.

Technically I can't. We are connected to a more ironclad union than marriage and that's a mortgage to a house that we can probably sell for like 70% more than what we purchased it for but so is every other house in our state.

 

[squeekness]

Technically I can't. We are connected to a more ironclad union than marriage and that's a mortgage to a house that we can probably sell for like 70% more than what we purchased it for but so is every other house in our state.

How many people are the opposite right now, pulling mortgages for how that will either stay flat for a while or even go down in value? The current prices are crazy......

 

[Erzengel]

We have friends who have/will purchase homes now and the prices are outrageous.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[blueharvest]

The only housing markets getting fresh supply have a ‘disproportionately higher’ number of homeowners who aren’t clinging to low mortgage rates

Metropolitan areas with more mortgage-free homeowners are seeing the largest jump in listings, new Zillow analysis finds.

fortune.com

 

[blueharvest]

Audit finds California spent $24B on homelessness in 5 years, didn't consistently track outcomes

A state audit has found that California spent $24 billion to tackle homelessness over a five year period but didn't consistently track the outcomes or effectiveness of its programs.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

And a house isn’t just the price of the house, the mortgage, but the cost of maintenance and any recurring taxation after the purchase.

The Hidden Costs of Homeownership Are Skyrocketing​

Rising insurance premiums, property taxes and maintenance costs show little sign of abating

https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/housing-affordability-taxes-insurance-costs-rise-bca64df1

 

[squeekness]

I just paid 13 grand for a new roof, double what we paid to have it done 25 years earlier.

 

[Erzengel]

We replaced our 2 air conditioner units. It was still expensive and we got a deal because my SIL was friends with the Owner. I'm sure they could easily charged us $3k more.

 

[blueharvest]

Can homeless people be fined for sleeping outside? A rural Oregon city asks the US Supreme Court

The rural city of Grants Pass in southern Oregon has become the unlikely face of the nation’s homelessness crisis as its case over anti-camping laws goes to the U.S.

apnews.com

 

[squeekness]

Can homeless people be fined for sleeping outside? A rural Oregon city asks the US Supreme Court

The rural city of Grants Pass in southern Oregon has become the unlikely face of the nation’s homelessness crisis as its case over anti-camping laws goes to the U.S.

apnews.com

Seems cruel to me.

 

[blueharvest]

Seems cruel to me.

Also kind of pointless. If homeless people don't have enough money to pay rent, surely they don't have enough money to pay a fine.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Boomers Bought Up the Big Homes. Now They’re Not Budging.
Many empty-nesters are staying put rather than downsizing, keeping housing inventory tight

https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/baby-boomers-big-homes-real-estate-inventory-3a047cb6

The ‘big homes’ aren’t affordable (varies by location) anyway even if they were more available.

 

[DA_Champion]

Boomers Bought Up the Big Homes. Now They’re Not Budging.
Many empty-nesters are staying put rather than downsizing, keeping housing inventory tight

https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/baby-boomers-big-homes-real-estate-inventory-3a047cb6

The ‘big homes’ aren’t affordable (varies by location) anyway even if they were more available.

If they were available they'd be more affordable due to increased supply.

 

[squeekness]

If they were available they'd be more affordable due to increased supply.

I was smart and didn't buy a big house to begin with.