Pandemic Has Turned Affordable Housing Challenge into a Crisis As more tenants are unable to pay rent, owners of multifamily housing may lack the resources to responsibly operate the housing they provide. If they are unable to pay mortgages and operating costs, the financial health of the properties and their ability to serve residents is…
COVID-19 Could Make the Affordable Housing Crisis Worse
Safeguarding the Delivery System Protects Vulnerable People Today and Tomorrow These are difficult days. And it is particularly difficult for those who are homeless or whose housing is unstable. With primary responsibility to house independent low- and moderate-income seniors, we are particularly focused on how to keep these individuals out of harm’s way. In this…
Boston’s Inclusionary Development Program Is Not a Panacea
Young professionals and families are being priced out of the promise of homeownership or find that they are facing ridiculous transportation burdens. Older folks are reluctant to sell their homes because there are not housing options in their own neighborhoods that meet their needs. Renters are probably the most stressed because there are so few options that are not a luxury level…
Affordable Housing and the Challenge of Becoming Climate Ready
Energy efficiency, sustainability and resiliency measures – connected to addressing the real effects of climate change – are important elements for safe guarding the operations of multi-family housing. Click here to read Susan’s October op-ed in Banker & Tradesman.
There’s a Bipartisan Bill That Will Boost Housing
The predominant tool used to finance affordable housing is the very effective Low Income Housing Tax Credit. Since its inception in 1986, the program has helped more than 10 million families put roofs over their heads. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act is an opportunity to make a good thing even better. Click here to…
New Insights Into Multi-family Zoning
Housing experts and advocates are frustrated because of the many barriers that exist to creating more multi-family housing. A new survey of 100 cities and towns in Greater Boston could guide us towards solutions. The report, titled “State of Multi-family Housing in Greater Boston,” focuses specifically on regulations that restrict or promote multi-family housing. In her latest op-ed, Susan asserts that by gathering current policy data and looking at which communities have grown their housing supplies and which have not, this new report will help us increase the efficacy of future policy creation.
