Housing

Oregon Cities Seek Amendment to 2021 Homeless Camping Law Amid Ongoing Housing Crisis

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Salem, Ore. – As Oregon struggles with a persistent housing crisis, city officials across the state are calling for more flexibility to manage homeless encampments. A law passed in 2021 has become a focal point of controversy, with local leaders claiming it hampers their ability to address camps they consider problematic. The League of Oregon Cities, representing municipal governments, announced its intention to make amending this law a key priority for the upcoming legislative session. The law currently restricts city policies on camping, requiring them to be “objectively reasonable,” a term not explicitly defined, thereby … Read more

Skagway Faces Housing Crisis Amid Inconsistent Code Enforcement and Setback Struggles

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In Skagway, Alaska, a critical housing shortage is prompting urgent discussions and calls for action by local leaders. The challenge is exacerbated by a municipal code that complicates the addition of new housing developments, particularly impeding residents who wish to convert existing structures into livable spaces due to strict property setback regulations. This housing crisis affects both the permanent and temporary populations in Skagway, where local business owners often convert long-term rental properties into accommodations for seasonal workers. This shift puts immense pressure on available housing, relegating some seasonal employees to less-than-adequate living conditions, which … Read more

Scottsdale Enacts Tweaked Housing Laws Amid State Pushback, Straining Local Control Over Residential Development

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Scottsdale, Ariz. — Scottsdale City Council passed new ordinances on Monday adhering to Arizona’s state housing mandates, albeit with modifications to curtail their impact. The state legislation, enacted earlier this year, mandates a portion of commercial and mixed-use buildings to incorporate housing and allows greater freedom for the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) such as casitas on residential properties. These changes, designed as a response to the growing housing crisis in Arizona, aim to increase housing supply by facilitating the transformation of commercial spaces and the expansion of residential properties. However, implementation has been … Read more

Indiana Housing Nonprofit Files Lawsuits Against Major Private-Equity-Backed Landlords for Discriminatory Tenant Screening Practices

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INDIANAPOLIS — Two high-profile landlords are under scrutiny for allegedly discriminatory rental practices that may have unfairly targeted minority applicants, according to lawsuits filed by an Indianapolis-based housing advocacy organization. These landlords, backed by major private equity firms, are accused of denying housing based on flawed third-party tenant screening reports. The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, which advocates across 24 counties, has brought the legal action against Tricon Residential and Progress Residential. The suits contend that these companies relied on inaccurate data regarding eviction histories and criminal records, information which adversely affected prospective tenants, … Read more