NYU Furman Center’s Post

This will be an interesting update. I would ask the presenters a few questions: 1. Have any CSPDC localities adopted simple regulatory/ordinance reform to a) reduce or eliminate minimum parking requirements, b) reduce or eliminate minimum lot sizes, or c) simplify and reduce plan review and permitting times/costs/procedures. 2. Have all CSPDC localities adopted without change or analysis the 2021 VUSBC code changes which add significant costs to residential permits in the name of energy efficiency? Have these localities done a study to evaluate the cost/benefit of these new regulations and impacts to affordability?

“High rent and house prices have long made it difficult for teachers, especially those at the bottom of the pay scale, to find affordable homes. Even teachers earning average or the highest salaries faced struggles paying the rent, especially in the high-cost coastal and metro areas”, according to a 2019 EdSource analysis of the issue.  Housing is on the ballot- Yes on Prop 5

Austin ranked 10th in Hardest-Working Cities in America . To learn more about the research that went into this list, check out our latest CRG blog post at https://lnkd.in/dMb-AE53   #cainrealtygroup #crgaustin #austinaccolades #austinrelocation #austintexas #austinrealestate #austinliving #austinnews #austinrealtors

Very pleased to have spoken for Westminster Forum Projects last week on next steps for High Streets and Towns with lessons from Historic England's Heritage Action Zones and High Street Heritage Actions Zones programmes and the combined DCMS Arms' Length Bodies Levelling Up Places Service. Grateful to all speakers for putting heritage in the spotlight as a vital asset that towns should be looking to invest in and for support of our lessons learned about: ·      moving work with communities from 'engagement' to participation to leadership,  ·      the need for lead in time for major capital spending and the opportunities for other meaningful activity in that time to build participation and partnership and to get the long-term plan in place,  ·      the importance of a mixed portfolio of investments (large and small) to achieve area wide benefits and allow flexibility, and  ·      the opportunities for heritage to provide homes, spaces for business and opportunities for communities to come together and create. Fitting a lot in to 15 minutes and appreciated thoughtful Q&A for which answers:  ·      historic buildings aren’t inherently fuel inefficient and they can be made more efficient using means that protect their value, whilst avoiding damp – we enable pragmatic conservation (not dogmatic preservation); ·     evaluating long term investment projects requires thoughtful data collection at the outset including qualitative perception studies, but also requires reconsidering your KPIs as time and policies pass (what benefits did you deliver that didn't expect?); ·     there is great opportunity for adult skills training in heritage investment programmes. Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust's brilliant model of participation and learning is one for many to learn from. and these are skills in maintaining and bringing buildings back into use that are needed across the country in great numbers. More detail on Heritage Action Zones here: https://lnkd.in/eDyU8V_B and the Levelling Up Places Service here: https://lnkd.in/eWPzB6rm

Visitors and foot traffic are booming in #Texas downtowns, while commercial vacancy rates are at all time high. What does this for the future? Join The LBJ School of Public Affairs #LBJUrbanLab and The Texas Tribune on April 18th at Noon for a discussion on the future of our #downtowns. #cities #policy #CRE #realestate #urbanplanning https://lnkd.in/gGXSwhmP

Portlanders: What kind of city council leaders do you want to represent you? The 2024 Portland: Your City, Your Choice Survey from the Oregon Values & Beliefs Center Values and Beliefs Center focuses on Portlanders' core values and beliefs by asking questions ranging from quality of life to the kind of City Council members you want representing the city. Just take it! https://lnkd.in/grq3Qfey

Just reupping that in May 2025, Grounded Solutions Network will hold our conference, Policy. Practice. Power, in DC. Never to early to budget and plan for a Spring visit to the nation's capital to join us to advance housing with lasting affordability. See below: https://lnkd.in/eRwMTP88

People say they want a government that has transparency, but how many take the time to watch, read, and pay attention when government gives you that? I encourage you to take a look at all of the information below.

Austin ranked 1st in the Most Festive Cities in America. To learn more about the research that went into this list, check out our latest CRG blog post at https://lnkd.in/dMb-AE53   #cainrealtygroup #crgaustin #austinaccolades #austinrelocation #austintexas #austinrealestate #austinliving #austinnews #austinrealtors

ICYMI: Last week Mayor Gainey delivered his 2024 State of the City Address, covering what we've accomplished in the last 3 years and where we're headed next. The Mayor's vision for Pittsburgh is to Make City Government Work by rebuilding our capacity to deliver basic services like well-maintained infrastructure, safe communities, and a thriving Downtown. We've made important progress in all three of these categories since the beginning of 2022, with no open bridges in failing condition, a 43% reduction in homicides and non-fatal shootings, and a $600M reinvestment plan to reposition Downtown to thrive in the post-COVID economy. At the same time, the Mayor is committed to Making Government Work for Everyone by investing in affordable housing, small business supports, and workforce development opportunities. We've got 2,000 affordable units built or in the pipeline, 150 new low- to moderate-income homeowners who were supported by OwnPGH, and a pro-housing AND pro-tenant zoning package that will open up our market to new construction while also ensuring that all new development includes affordable units. We're re-tooling our small business programs to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at doing business with the City and enjoying the growth opportunities that presents, and launching innovative workforce programs to build opportunity infrastructure in our most historically underinvested neighborhoods. Our 2025 budget proposal is calibrated to protect and continue these vital initiatives even in the face of challenging financial circumstances in 2025 and 2026. Passing this budget is critical to continuing all of the important progress we've made in the past 3 years. You can catch up on the State of the City here: State of The City Address Video: https://lnkd.in/eE4Es3G2 State of the City Address Text: https://lnkd.in/etdush54 State of the City virtual Townhall video: https://lnkd.in/eqKtf-Pv Proposed 2025 Operating Budget: https://lnkd.in/eEMzYJh2 Proposed 2025 Capital Budget: https://lnkd.in/epRCyKQZ