Tag: Housing

New report cites ‘harmful effects’ of private equity firms buying nursing homes

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

It’s one of the most sensitive roles in health care: caring for our elders. But behind the scenes, a quiet shift in ownership is raising concerns about whether profit is coming before people. A new report details how private equity firms are acquiring—and in some cases bankrupting—nursing homes across the U.S. The effects are felt

Read & Share   sourced from: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Bismarck has cheapest rent in U.S., study finds

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

In a housing market where rent often eats up more than its fair share of your paycheck, Bismarck stands out—for all the right reasons. A new WalletHub study ranks North Dakota’s capital as the most affordable U.S. city for renters, with average rent taking just 15.3% of median income. That’s not just good news—it’s rare.

Read & Share   sourced from: KX News

Strong Towns Need Strong Churches: The Case for Incremental Faith-Based Housing

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By: Eli Smith, Strong Towns |

This article was originally published, in slightly different form, by Strong Towns member Eli Smith on The Faith-Based Housing Initiative Substack. It is shared here with permission. Header image provided by the writer. In January, Strong Towns founder Chuck Marohn wrote an article called “We Need to Crash the Market for Entry-Level Homes.” His thesis is a fairly simple one: In

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

Denver Is Tired of Subsidizing Parking (and why it matters in Minot)

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Denver’s housing crisis isn’t about parking—it’s about people. As the city grows, officials are rethinking outdated parking mandates that drive up costs and stall development. By removing these rigid requirements, Denver hopes to make housing more affordable and flexible, allowing developers to build for actual demand rather than arbitrary rules. Other cities have already proven

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

Tennessee is Entering An Era of Yes. Will Minot Follow?

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By: Strong Towns, Strong Towns |

For years, housing production has favored large-scale developers. They can tap into tax breaks, subsidies and specialized financing tools that are often out of reach for smaller, local builders. Furthermore, zoning codes often favor large-scale, single-use developments over small-scale, incremental growth. Meanwhile, smaller, local builders — like the homeowner trying to build an addition on

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

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Minnesota Lawmakers Push Housing Reforms to Address Shortage

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Minnesota’s housing crisis is pushing lawmakers to take another run at zoning reform. A bipartisan group has introduced bills that would make it easier to build duplexes, townhomes, and apartments by limiting city restrictions that developers say drive up costs. Local governments, however, worry about infrastructure strain and losing control over zoning decisions. With a

Read & Share   sourced from: Minnesota Reformer

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

by: MinotVoice  |  

For decades, manufactured home communities offered a rare path to affordable homeownership—until investors saw an opportunity. Across the country, private-equity firms and real estate companies are snapping up mobile home parks, driving up rents and squeezing out long-time residents. In Colorado’s Hickory Village, Derald Ketels is fighting to keep the home he paid off years

Read & Share   sourced from: Shelterforce

Three bills to support small towns, groceries and housing see momentum in Legislature

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Rural North Dakota is facing big challenges, from housing shortages to struggling grocery stores, but lawmakers are pushing forward with efforts to help small towns stay viable. Three bills aimed at funding housing, local businesses, and community development are making their way through the Legislature, though some have already seen funding cuts. Advocates say these

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

New data reveals how much it costs to live in different North Dakota counties

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by: MinotVoice  |  

If you’re curious about the cost of living in North Dakota, recent data from Job Service sheds light on the disparities across counties. McKenzie County takes the lead as the priciest, driven largely by its oil industry. In comparison, Ward County sits on the higher range. Understanding these figures is essential for both newcomers and

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Co-Living Provides Community, Not Just Housing

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Noah Tang’s journey from recent divorce to practical solution reveals an approach to the housing crisis that is often overlooked. Living alone in a spacious Victorian house, he transformed his spare rooms into affordable rentals for students and interns. This arrangement not only eased his mortgage concerns but also addressed a growing need for flexible

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

We Need To Crash the Market for Entry-Level Homes

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Housing prices are spiraling, and America’s housing crisis is only deepening. The solution might seem like adding massive blocks of new developments, but big doesn’t always mean fast or efficient. Instead, imagine a world where every neighborhood chips in, turning spare bedrooms or backyards into cozy homes. This isn’t just a vision—it’s what Strong Towns

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

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In Nashville, CDFIs Are Helping Convert Motels Into Affordable Housing

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Nashville, often celebrated for its music scene, is facing a pressing challenge: a shortage of affordable housing. In response, local developers are turning to adaptive reuse, transforming old motels into affordable living spaces. Notable projects like The Wilder and The Perch aim to provide mixed-income options, helping to combat rising homelessness and high rents. This

Read & Share   sourced from: Next City

A Solution: How Single-Stair Reform Can Help Unlock Incremental Housing

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Small apartment buildings like Oak Terrace used to be common, filling cities with well-scaled, community-friendly homes. But thanks to modern building codes, structures like this are now nearly impossible to build. A single rule requiring two staircases with a fire-rated corridor has reshaped housing, pushing developers toward large, generic buildings instead of the compact, human-scaled

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

Protections for North Dakota renters face skepticism in committee

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Three new bills in North Dakota aim to enhance protections for renters, but they face a skeptical Senate Industry and Business Committee. Senate Bills 2235, 2236, and 2237 focus on addressing late fees and providing tenants with options for recourse against non-compliant landlords. With nearly 35% of households renting and many struggling to afford housing,

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Nebraska lawmakers consider measure to preempt local rent regulations 

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Nebraska lawmakers are currently discussing a proposed bill that would prevent local governments from imposing rent controls on private property. At a public hearing, supporters argued that the measure is a proactive step to fend off potential rent regulations. However, opponents contended that there’s no current push for rent control in the state. This debate

Read & Share   sourced from: Nebraska Examiner

Washington lawmaker seeks ban algorithmic rental market pricing

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A little legislative perspective here: in Washington, a legislator is seeking a ban on algorithmic-driven technology that provides rental-market pricing recommendations. The belief is that use of the technology and recommendation they deliver amounts to competitor collusion and drives prices up. Opponents argue the technology is an innovation that drives prices down. Why does it

Read & Share   sourced from: SmartCitiesDive