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Rent controls are being explored in Bristol – can it learn from Lille?

Matty Edwards Matthieu Slisse

November 23, 2022 |

The Bristol Cable |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: France, Lille

Lille, France introduced rent controls in March 2020, causing the average rent to drop for the first time in several years in 2021. But due to inadequate outreach with tenants, a lack of enforcement, and loopholes in the regulations, more than 40 percent of rental listings in the city were out of compliance and charging more than technically allowed as of August 2022, and many residents report being hesitant to push back on landlords skirting the policy.

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Mapping Lead Contamination in the Granite State

Paul Cuno-Booth Kathie Ragsdale John M. Bassett

December 13, 2021 |

Granite State News Collaborative |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

Through education, public policy and grant programs, New Hampshire is working on decreasing the number of children with elevated blood lead levels. In 2016, the state wanted to improve lead-testing rates and over the year, they conducted 25 training sessions reaching more than 300 medical professionals, which led to 2,100 more children being tested than the previous year. Interest in lead-abatement grant programs by landlords and homeowners has also increased.

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Booking Fees: The effort to find long-term solutions for short-term rentals

Sarah Ravits Jake Clapp

November 21, 2021 |

Gambit |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Cities are contending with a rise in short term rentals which is exacerbating the already limited supply of affordable housing. The effort to rein them in includes fees being redirected to affordable housing funds, stricter regulations, and technology that helps enforce city regulations.

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Alone in eviction court: Alabama looks to provide lawyers

Sarah Whites-Koditschek

November 09, 2021 |

AL.com (Alabama Media Group) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Alabama

Legislation in cities like Cleveland, Louisville, New York City, provides legal representation for economically-disadvantaged people who are facing eviction. The city ordinances have drastically reduced evictions as well as the government costs associated with homelessness caused directly by evictions. A public awareness push - through social media, billboards, and door knocking - was also made in these cities to encourage people to show up to their eviction court dates.

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The seeds to build permanent farmworker housing are planted. Will there be a harvest?

Pam Marino

October 29, 2021 |

Monterey County Weekly |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Soledad, California

A research study is spurring change and leading to the addition of more housing units in Soledad. Agriculture is the main industry of the region, making farmworker housing a priority. Vacant housing has been rehabilitated and several new developments have been built to house both year-round and migrant workers.

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Paris shows how to make public housing greener and more habitable at the same time

Colin Kinniburgh

September 29, 2021 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Old and neglected housing contributes to climate change because it runs on fossil fuels. In New York, outdated heating systems waste two-thirds of energy. The New York City Housing Authority is not only trying to create better, safer, livable affordable housing, but also cleaner and more sustainable housing. While the city is just beginning to explore how to do that, other cities, like Paris, have already begun the work of updating old buildings that are used for affordable housing and can offer a model for American cities.

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9 Potential Solutions to Keep Chicagoans Safer From Fires

Cecilia Reyes Madison Hopkins

August 02, 2021 |

Better Government Association |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Many cities have experienced tragic deaths in rental apartments, but Chicago's poor record in this realm is compounded by officials' refusal to concede systemic problems. So, to follow up on an earlier report about those problems, reporters compiled a list of nine effective policies and which other cities use them. In each of the areas, Chicago has failed to adopt policies that in other places have made fire safety a priority, starting with routine inspections, effective enforcement of regulations, and licensing and tracking of landlords to more easily spot scofflaws.

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Tenant Power

Jake Clapp

August 02, 2021 |

Gambit |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Tenants are banding together for housing rights in different cities. From collective bargaining to advancing tenant issues, the struggle for safe and affordable housing has been carried out through the efforts of grassroots tenant organizers. One such group is the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly, which educates tenants about their rights. Others have led strikes resulting in renovations and tenant-friendly policy changes.

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Short term Rental Tax Raises Funds for Housing

Julia Caulfield

July 30, 2021 |

Koto Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Short-term rental taxes are contributing to affordable housing projects in Colorado. In places like Telluride, where rentals account for about 35 percent of the housing stock, the new tax has not impeded rentals and has created a consistent revenue stream for affordable housing.

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‘Make room for everyone:' Why density could be key to liveability in Langford

Shalu Mehta

July 02, 2021 |

The Discourse |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Langford, British Columbia

A new rent-to-own development is providing an affordable housing option. Known as My Belmont, the new solution is combining affordability with walkability as well as access to public transportation - a combination that is hard to find. Although the new project offers limited spots, it’s being highlighted as the type of mixed-used housing developments that can help alleviate the issue of affordable housing and provide a better quality of life.

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