Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

Jobs Plus Pilot Program

(RECAP: This Notice of Funding Availability announces the availability of funding of approximately $24 million for the Jobs Plus Pilot program for Public Housing Agencies to develop locally-based approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for Public Housing residents. The application deadline is December 17, 2014.)
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail/nofa14/jppp

Ranking Names Best Cities For People With Disabilities

(RECAP: A new ranking is offering insight on the nation’s best and worst places for people with disabilities to call home. Overland Park, Kan. tops the analysis of the nation’s 150 most populated cities, with Chesapeake, Va., ninth in the top 10. Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Virginia Beach also made the “best” 150 list.)
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/10/07/ranking-cities-disabilities/19735/

Philly’s “Awesometown” Offers a Different Brand of Affordable Housing

(RECAP: Instead of using federal support, Awesometown is relying on a combination of private financing and local support (a property tax abatement from the city) to build the 14-unit housing development that touting four “affordable units” in a gentrifying area.)
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/philadelphia-housing-awesometown-mixed-income-affordable-financing

Healthy Urbanism: A New Foundation for Place-Making

(RECAP: When healthy urbanism is the foundation of place-making and design, economic value follows from a walkable environment that enlivens both retail and the residential character of streets and neighborhoods.)
http://www.multihousingnews.com/features/development/healthy-urbanism-a-new-foundation-for-place-making/1004109401.html

4 Ways Operators Are Reinventing Senior Housing

(RECAP: Whether it’s expanding to add more units or renovating an existing community for the modern era, senior living providers are tackling their construction projects with an eye towards the latest design trends.)
http://seniorhousingnews.com/2014/10/12/4-ways-operators-reinventing-senior-housing/

Opinions on Housing 

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

Risks vs. Rewards: Inside HUD’s Favorite New Program

(RECAP: With the potential expansion of a current pilot program, the U.S. could be stepping closer toward the privatization of public housing — which will have short- and long-term impact on our most vulnerable city residents who depend on such shelter.)
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/public-housing-privatized-hud-rad-section-8

Lifting the Fog on Section 3

(RECAP: When it’s more appealing to circumvent the law requiring that jobs in public housing construction go to qualified residents than to follow it, something needs to change.)
http://www.shelterforce.org/article/3878/lifting_the_fog_on_section_3/