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Atlanta, GA converts shipping containers into affordable housing
In light of a growing homeless population in Atlanta, city officials are converting shipping containers into affordable housing units that are accessible for those with disabilities and also include a bathroom, a bed and a refrigerator.. With 40 housing units now in use, the city has plans to add another 20,000 units by 2030.
Atlanta, GA
United States
Johnson County, KS Landlord Incentive Pilot Program seeks uptick in housing voucher participation
County officials recognized a steady downturn in Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) acceptance from 2019 to 2022. The Landlord Incentive Pilot Program is funded by $200,000 in federal funding and offers several layers of incentives for property owners. Participating landlords qualify for sign-on bonuses worth up to three times their monthly rent. A Damage Reimbursement Fund covers up to $3,500 per unit in damages for valid claims beyond what's covered by security deposits.
Johnson County, KS
United States
Santa Barbara County, CA evaluates 3D printing for affordable home construction during pilot
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments received a $375,000 state grant for a 3D-printed home in Goleta. Apis Cor will print walls with innovative robotic technology and install them on a standard foundation. The county's Housing Trust Fund will work with university researchers to compare the structure's environmental impacts with traditional construction. This trial seeks an option for mass home construction in a county with an average home cost of $870,000.
Santa Barbara County, CA
United States
Swindon Borough Council, GB deploys drones for streamlined roofing inspections in social housing
The borough's emerging tech team coordinated a drone inspection pilot across multiple departments. A drone equipped with multi-direction obstacle sensing and geofencing completed inspections in an average of 17 minutes. Drone inspections also identified hazardous materials and structural issues before they became costly issues. The now-permanent drone program achieved a 100% rate of first-time repairs and annual savings of £80,265 during the pilot.
Swindon Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom
Evanston, IL addresses long-term impacts of housing discrimination with Restorative Housing Program
The first-of-its-type Restorative Housing Program offers $25,000 per direct descendent of African American or Black families who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969. These payments were initially limited to down payments, mortgage assistance, and home renovations. Evanston approved a direct cash payment option for eligible residents in 2023. The program's budget is funded by taxes collected on recreational marijuana sales.
Evanston, IL
United States
Boston, MA Healthy and Green Retrofit Pilot Program seeks decarbonization of owner-occupied rentals
The pilot randomly selects ten qualified applicants for decarbonization retrofit assistance in buildings with two to four units. Qualifications for the program include owner occupancy and pre-1999 construction dates. Customized green energy plans and construction management services guide participants through retrofits. Grants up to $50,000 per unit cover heat pump installation, weatherization, and other improvements.
Boston, MA
United States
Baltimore, MD boosts middle neighborhood development with its City Employee Homeownership Program
Full-time city employees qualify for $5,000 in down payment assistance under the existing program. A one-year enhancement offers $10,000 per approved applicant for home purchases in 205 middle neighborhoods. Participants must contribute at least $1,000 of their own money and complete homeownership counseling certificates. The program is part of a strategy to strengthen stable neighborhoods that includes home repair grants and city service promotion.
Baltimore, MD
United States
Moyne, VIC Worker Accommodation program takes aim at housing impacts on regional labor market
The program recognizes the connection between housing shortages and long-term vacancies in key industries. Council-owned cabins were installed in caravan parks at Koroit and Mortlake. Each fully furnished unit includes a living room, kitchenette, and HVAC system. Moyne works with interested employers on placing new hires in worker accommodations. The short-term accommodations help workers ease into new roles and can be rented out to tourists when not in use.
Moyne, VIC
Australia
Tucson, AZ seeks innovative accessory dwelling unit ideas with its Casita Model Plan Competition
The city's Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) requests design entries for ADUs referred to as casitas. Participants submit project descriptions, floor plans, and 3D views for casitas in four categories - Universal Design, Low-Cost, Family-Friendly, and Green. A public survey and evaluations by PDSD will determine 10 winning entries with awards of $1,000 each. Tucson will also waive building review fees for winning designers who want to turn their designs into reality.
Tucson, AZ
United States
San Antonio, TX envisions accessible and affordable housing options with ADU Design Competition
The competition invites Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designs from residents of all ages. A design booklet provides prompts like "What type of outdoor space would your ADU have?" and "What green features would be included in your ADU?" Participants include floor plan drawings and narratives about ADU features with their applications. Winners in six categories such as Most Innovative Design and Most Accessible Design win up to $500 funded by an AAP Community Challenge Grant.
San Antonio, TX
United States
Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, GB AFEO program matches ex-offenders to rental properties
The Accommodation for Ex-Offender (AFEO) initiative recruits private-sector landlords for reliable housing options. Participating landlords receive cash incentives, rental bonds, and legal protection worth up to £50,000 per property. Applicants exiting incarceration work with the council when applying for benefits, budgeting for monthly costs, and furnishing their apartments. The initial goal for AFEO was 15 rental units for ex-offenders in its first year.
Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom
London Borough of Harrow, GB develops solar glass structure concept for social housing
The borough and Polysolar created a concept for Project-A.I.R or Artificial Intelligence Guided Retrofit. This weatherproof shelter features a three-kilowatt glass array and sits in a council home's garden. A social housing tenant enjoys gardening and outdoor leisure within the structure while generating zero-emission energy. Project-A.I.R. could reduce monthly energy bills by up to 45% if implemented. The concept was presented at the Grand Designs Live event in April 2023.
London Borough of Harrow, GB
United Kingdom