Beyond Bricks and Sticks

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

FHFA’s Proposed Duty to Serve Rule – New Opportunities for Community Builders

(RECAP: Community housing and community development advocates could see new opportunities for financing from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2016 and beyond under a new draft rule proposed December 15, 2015. The rule directs Fannie and Freddie to provide leadership and expanded financing opportunities in three specific areas: manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation and rural areas.)

http://www.rooflines.org/4349/fhfas_proposed_duty_to_serve_rule_new_opportunities_for_community_builders/

This Conceptual Design Reinvents Power Plants as Mixed-Use Megastructures

(RECAP: What if a power plant could also be a home, an office or even a park? That is the question behind Cypher CO2ling Plant. It proposes a scenario that utilizes the infrastructure of the power plant’s cooling towers to support mixed-use development, while also mitigating the less desirable aspects of energy generation.)

http://www.archdaily.com/780109/this-conceptual-design-reinvents-power-plants-as-mixed-use-megastructures?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ArchDaily+%28ArchDaily%29

Introducing the Virginia Multifamily Energy Efficiency Coalition 

(RECAP: Throughout the summer, a group of energy efficiency advocates, weatherization providers, affordable housing providers and environmental organizations began meeting to find ways to improve the energy efficiency of Virginia’s multifamily housing stock. Over a series of meetings, the group agreed to form an ongoing coalition – the Virginia Multifamily Energy Efficiency Coalition.)

http://www.housingvirginia.org/news/introducing-the-virginia-multifamily-energy-efficiency-council/

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.

The Growing Trend of Affordable Housing Impact Statements

(RECAP: CityLab looks at how and why cities across the nation are calling for "affordable-housing impact statements." City leaders in New Orleans became the most recent to call for these statements, which would force developers and government officials to first consider how new development might affect the availability of housing for low-income families.)

http://www.citylab.com/housing/2016/01/the-growing-trend-of-affordable-housing-impact-statements/423333/