Housing

Judge Rejects UCLA’s Effort to Delay Veterans Housing Initiative at Baseball Stadium

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Los Angeles, CA — A recent legal decision has upheld a mandate requiring the University of California, Los Angeles to allocate part of its baseball stadium’s parking lot for housing veterans, denying the university’s request to delay the order. The ruling is part of an ongoing saga involving the misuse of property originally deeded for the benefit of veterans, which UCLA has been using for its athletic programs. The university’s appeal to stall the order was rejected by U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr., who mandated that UCLA must proceed without delay in developing housing … Read more

Senator Reflects on Impactful Housing Law as Massachusetts High Court Deliberates Enforcement Powers

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Boston, MA — Nearly four years after the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts is grappling with an ongoing housing issue through legislation aimed at fostering easier development around public transit hubs. This push, embodied in the MBTA Communities Act, mandates that 177 largely eastern cities and towns create zones that permit multi-family housing by right, a move to ease the state’s intense housing shortage. This legislative effort, spearheaded by Sen. Brendan Crighton of Lynn, is now at the center of a critical debate before the Supreme Judicial Court following a legal challenge led by … Read more

Judge Overturns Arlington Initiative Aimed at Expanding Diverse Housing Options

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Arlington, VA — A recent judicial ruling has thwarted Arlington County’s progressive housing initiative, commonly referred to as the ‘missing middle’ housing plan. This plan sought to address the area’s critical affordable housing shortage by rezoning single-family neighborhoods to allow for the construction of multi-family units, such as duplexes and townhouses. Circuit Judge Louise DiMatteo issued an injunction against the county’s zoning ordinance changes, citing a failure to adhere to proper procedural protocols. The judge’s decision came in response to challenges by local homeowners who argue that the plan was pushed through without sufficient community … Read more

Supreme Court Clears Path for Pro-Construction Housing Laws, Overturning Lower Court Freeze

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WASHINGTON — In a decisive action, the Supreme Court cleared the path for two significant pro-construction housing legislations, overriding a lower court’s previous hold on their implementation. This move comes amid growing recognition of the housing crises affecting various parts of the United States, particularly in urban areas struggling with homelessness and unaffordable housing. The court’s decision effectively reinstates laws designed to accelerate the construction of new homes and apartments at a time when such developments are desperately needed to tackle severe housing shortages. These laws aim to streamline the lengthy permitting processes and reduce … Read more