Beyond Bricks and Sticks

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

Q: Why doesn’t the market produce enough affordable housing where people want it?

(RECAP: Location, location, location… The value of housing is tied to location. In desirable locations there is a limit to how much housing can be created.)
http://www.shelterforce.org/article/3479/the_answer_173/

Prospect’s Affordable Accessory Dwelling Units

(RECAP: Unlike much of the affordable housing found in other places that end up being segregated from the rest of the community, Prospect Newtown’s ADUs are perfectly blended within the town overall—and actually help contribute to the development’s success.)
http://buildabetterburb.org/prospects-affordable-accessory-dwelling-units/

Retirees Turn to Virtual Villages for Mutual Support

(RECAP: An offshoot of the sharing economy, virtual villages are popping up all over the country. Experts say these villages are low-cost ways to age in place and delay going to costly assisted-living facilities. One lure is that virtual villages can be tweaked to fit any environment — including the country.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/29/your-money/retirees-turn-to-virtual-villages-for-mutual-support.html?src=me&module=Ribbon&version=context&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Most%20Emailed&pgtype=Blogs

Part 1: What Is a Form-Based Code?

(RECAP: As communities confront the need to update their zoning ordinances, many are discussing form-based codes. But quite a large percentage of those are not quite sure what this relatively new planning and zoning tool is all about.)
http://plannersweb.com/2014/12/fbc1/

See the Futuristic Elevators That Move in Every Direction

(RECAP: 160 years after its invention, the elevator is getting a major makeover. A German company is developing the world's first cable-less system that could revolutionize the shape and height of our future skyscrapers.)
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/the-elevator-of-the-future-moves-side-to-side-GNNcqMENTfSSkQ0OpZppog.html

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.

Choose One, Millennials: Upward Mobility or Affordable Housing

(RECAP: The paradox of the American Dream: The best cities to get ahead are often the most expensive places to live, and the most affordable places to live can be the worst cities to get ahead.)
http://www.citylab.com/housing/2014/11/choose-one-millennials-upward-mobility-or-affordable-housing/382953/

Child Homelessness Reaches All Time High, But Remains A Hidden Problem

(RECAP: One in 30 of American children is homeless—an all-time high of 2.5 million, according to a new report by the National Center on Family Homelessness. Some states have begun to focus on helping such children, but their efforts are being complicated by the way the federal government counts them.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/child-homelessness_n_6262296.html