By MARK HARMSWORTH Tacoma voters are being asked to approve Initiative Measure No. 3, marketed as the “Safe Homes for All Initiative.” While the name sounds appealing, this measure would impose heavy new regulations, create tenant unions, steep fines, and a new per-unit rental licensing fee on property owners. The result will almost certainly be […] READ MORE
By Alayna Alvarez Denver is three generations away from solving its rental housing affordability crisis at current building rates, per new data from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) shared first with Axios. Why it matters: The long road to balance underscores how deeply the region’s housing shortage runs. How it works: The report, produced […] READ MORE
By MARK HARMSWORTH Seattle’s ill-conceived ban on algorithmic rent-setting software illustrates what critics see as a textbook case of unconstitutional government meddling in private markets. Now Bellingham is poised to repeat the same mistake. Local activists with Community First Whatcom are gathering signatures for Initiative 26-01, which would prohibit property owners from using apps and AI […] READ MORE
If you want to lower rents in the next five weeks, rent control is appealing. If you want to lower rents in the next five years, it isn’t. If you want to lower rents in the next five weeks, rent control may be appealing. If you want to lower rents in the next five years, […] READ MORE
By Marcia Fudge and Steve Stivers States across the country are battling high costs of living that are hitting residents’ pocketbooks harder and harder each day. Nowhere is that more visible than in the housing market. As rents rise and inflation continues to squeeze those on fixed incomes, lawmakers are understandably searching for solutions to […] READ MORE
Seth Klamann explains how a Colorado bill would allow residential lot splitting to help increase housing supply, while sparking debate over local control. READ MORE
Tenant “protections” that invite rampant abuse aren’t good for anyone except squatters. In D.C. rental disputes, tenants are always presumed to be the victim, even when they’re clearly not victims — or even tenants. The saga of Veronica Hegens, a retired Army major, puts in sharp relief the risk of continuing business as usual. The […] READ MORE
Charlotte Rene Woods explains that a package of Virginia housing bills headed to Gov. Spanberger's desk aim to boost housing supply and strengthen tenant protections. READ MORE
