Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Post

Councils are partly to blame for this crisis when they impose property licenses on landlords, as in Hastings. This pushes costs up and forces some landlords out of the market. However, my agency has guided many landlords to apply the license to a T and use available space, as described in the article shown in the comments below. Councils can also do that, it only takes some creativity. https://lnkd.in/eeip8dQm? #lettingagent #prs #councils #housingcrisis

🏡✨ Exciting News from Verity Credit Union! Thank you, CUEvangelist®! We're proud of our involvement in the innovative Copper Way housing development in Spanaway, Washington, set to open late this year! This project, supported by the Evergreen Impact Housing Fund (EIHF), is a shining example of how collaboration across private, public, and philanthropic sectors can make a lasting impact on affordable housing. Tonita Webb, DBA, CCE, CUDE, SPHR, our CEO, highlighted the pressing housing crisis affecting our members and employees, with the unhoused population growing significantly in Seattle and King County, WA. Verity Credit Union is committed to making a difference, and that's why we've joined forces with other Washington credit unions to support the Copper Way development. The EIHF, launched in 2020, employs a unique financing model using low-interest, long-term loans to bridge funding gaps that often hinder affordable housing projects. Kris Hermanns, fund manager at EIHF, expressed the goal of creating a financial incentive for the construction of three- to four-bedroom units to address the diverse needs of families. The Copper Way project, comprising 256 garden-style apartments, will offer over 80% of units with two or more bedrooms. All units will be reserved for those earning 60% or less of the area's median income. This development is a crucial step toward addressing the needs projections from the Washington State Department of Commerce. Verity Credit Union believes in mission-driven financing, and contributing to affordable housing in Pierce and King County is our way of making a meaningful impact in this housing crisis. We've also been involved in Solera, the first credit union-backed project in Renton, King County, which is set to open in 2025, offering 50% affordable housing units and 20% for disabled residents. This is more than just banking; it's about building stronger, more inclusive communities. We are honored to be part of initiatives that support working families and contribute to the overall well-being of our neighborhoods. Together, we can create positive change! Verity Credit Union | Your Future. Your Partner. 🧡 #VerityCares #AffordableHousing #CommunityImpact #CopperWayDevelopment #MissionDrivenFinance Financial Times Credit Union National Association Forbes City of Seattle SCORE Greater Seattle The Seattle Times Seattle Business magazine Economic Development Office, King County Department of Local Services

It does sound like a win but I do question the overall motivation. I’m working on an article, but the rough math goes something like this: A 50 unit building would require the developer to pay around $1 million in development charges on top of that the developer may lose two to $300,000 worth of land taken off the front of their building under road widening policy enshrined in the planning act for which they receive zero compensation. If they want that land back in future because the city deems it surplus they have to pay market rates to buy it back. if the land is worth $$10 million, they have to pay $500,000 in Parkland dedication fees. All of these costs are on top of planning applications that can take years to work their way through the system. These fees and costs are all due and Payable before a shovel hits the ground; development charges can be deferred to some extent if the project is rental, but that’s relatively new policy decision by the city. I’d have no problem with a developer, providing some funding as illustrated in the article below, but it should be Considered in the assessment of Parkland dedication, road widening exploration without compensation, development charges. We cannot keep expecting developers to build, housing, affordability and hand them never ending list of fees, charges, and expenses. Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association (GOHBA)

Tenants and the Legal Aid Society are suing NYC Mayor Eric Adams' administration for not implementing laws to expand access to low-income housing vouchers. These laws, aimed at helping homeless people or those at risk of eviction, would adjust CityFHEPS vouchers by easing income restrictions and removing work requirements. Despite City Council's support and overriding Mayor Adams' veto, the administration cites a $17 billion cost over five years as a concern, contrasting with the council's $10.6 billion estimate. The dispute highlights tensions between the mayor and the council, particularly with Speaker Adrienne Adams, amid debates over the city's housing shortage and financial priorities. Legal Aid, alongside the plaintiffs facing eviction or homelessness, argues for immediate action to support vulnerable New Yorkers. #HousingCrisisNYC #LegalAidSues #CityFHEPSExpansion #MayorAdamsDispute #NYCTenantsRights #AffordableHousingFight #CouncilVsMayor #HousingVouchersControversy

If you’ll be at Housing CA, let’s discuss what’s working, what isn’t and what’s missing in affordable housing.

As Birmingham City Council plans to sell £750m of its assets due to its financial mess, polling for Power to Change shows that the public strongly prefer that local council assets are sold to the #community rather than on the open market. When asked who should have priority in purchasing council assets, if anyone, when they are sold, community organisations and businesses run by local people are by far the most popular option for the public. Power to Change are calling on government to take action to ensure that communities have a fair shot at purchasing these assets, so that more can move into community ownership. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e5mej6jr #localauthorities #cuts #assets #communityassets #ACV #righttobid

Spot on! It has been uncommon to hear affordable housing leadership taking a stance on such politically motivated issues, but facts are facts. Our network of affordable housing providers need help providing the housing and supportive services we do. What does this look like upstream? Where are improvements needed? Can we continue to operate in this current manner sustainably?

Thanks to reporter Kristy Nease at CBC for covering this case about a Green Economy Law client's housing struggles with her co-op, and shedding light on deeper issues with Ontario co-op housing laws. I won't recap the details of the case here - please read the piece - but the systemic issue illuminated is that co-op member tenants can't bring complaints via the Landlord and Tenant Board. Notwithstanding that co-ops *can* evict them through the Landlord and Tenant Board. So what happens when co-op member tenant rights are violated, and they're subject to mistreatment by their housing co-op? Typically there's a prescribed mediation or complaint process. But not always. And if they get to the end of the co-op's internal process (if any) and find justice remains illusive, they must take their complaint to small claims or superior court. Which is prohibitively expensive. Especially for persons living in co-op housing, which is typically much cheaper and/or subsidized vs. the general market. So why does the executive director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada say situations like the one described in the piece are "quite rare"? Perhaps because co-op member tenants who find themselves in this situation generally aren't lucky enough to find a decent lawyer who can both fight and publicize their case. And have no choice but to accept the circumstances. #housing #ontario #ottawa https://lnkd.in/gb9U2Vtk