In her book, Brave New Home, Diana Lind argues that the single-family home is at least partly to blame for our current housing woes. “A fundamental part of the American dream is to own a single-family home. But this aspiration and the lifestyle that comes with it has grown increasingly unaffordable, unhealthy, and ironically out of step with consumer demand” writes Lind in … [Read more...] about Happier housing.
Community
Jumpstart desegregation.
The United States has an ugly history of displacement, exclusion, and segregation which continues to this day. Blacks continue to be denied the same opportunities that are given to whites for affordable rental, home ownership and wealth building. While many may believe that this state of affairs somehow occurred organically, the truth is that Federal, state, and local policies … [Read more...] about Jumpstart desegregation.
Women building collective muscle.
Libby Seifel's life is built around big causes. She has spent much of it professionally focused on affordable housing and much of it personally focused on women. Libby's interest in housing came about when she lived through gentrification in her own neighborhood in Boston. There she saw her own godmother pushed out of her apartment into distressed public housing, and that … [Read more...] about Women building collective muscle.
Between renting and home ownership.
Home ownership has traditionally been considered a part of the American dream, providing economic benefits such as wealth accumulation, access to credit and a built-in saving system. Home ownership also provides housing security and a connection to place. But many Americans may never own a home. The challenges for first-time home buyers, skewed worse for minorities, include … [Read more...] about Between renting and home ownership.
The potential of unused space.
The US may be facing the most severe housing crisis in its history. Restrictive building regulations and zoning have pushed real estate prices out of reach for more and more Americans. The problem, which has been growing for the last fifty years, has been sharply accelerated by the pandemic. While some progress is being made, the rate of homelessness is … [Read more...] about The potential of unused space.