What we're reading now: the latest housing reports and analysis
National Housing Law Project: President directs Treasury and HUD to develop housing finance reform plans
The president issued a memorandum on March 27, which ordered "federal agencies to develop proposals for reforming various aspects of the housing finance system."
The Treasury, in particular, was directed to create a plan for removing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship. In the memorandum, HUD was encouraged to make changes to the housing finance programs that are supported by the Federal Housing Administration (FAH) and Ginnie Mae.
Both the Treasury and HUD will submit their plans to the White House at their earliest convenience.
In other news:
Multi-Housing News Online: POAH’s Aaron Gornstein on affordable housing
- Multi-Housing News sat down with Aaron Gornstein, an industry leader and president/ CEO of Preservation of Affordable Housing, to talk about the poignant affordable housing issue happening in America.
Saporta Report: Atlanta’s home prices are soaring. Can a new model keep some affordable forever?
- The Saporta Report dives into Atlanta's housing past and looks at a new model to see how the plan might fit into Atlanta's current affordable housing climate and the impact it could have.
Next City: Small cities feel the clock ticking on Opportunity Zones
- Next City looks at Opportunity Zones, which is a new federal tax incentive that encourages investment in low-income census tracts, and how it could be used for residents and small business in small cities.
City of Minneapolis: City Council approves Renter-First Housing Policy prioritizing renter protections
- Minneapolis's City Council approved a Renter-First Housing Policy. The policy is to provide protection and stability to the city's renters.
Urban Institute: Dismantling the harmful, false narrative that homelessness is a choice
- The Urban Institute talked with Mental Health Center of Denver's supportive housing provider Takisha Keesee about common misconceptions around people experiencing homelessness.
