By Tracy Jan and Kathy Orton, Washington Post A Crystal City condo that had sat on the market suddenly shot up in price by $20,000. Realtors are fielding cold calls from out-of-state investors eager to snap up properties. “But only if Amazon comes to the area,” one Midwestern woman said. Anticipation that the online retail giant will open its new headquarters in this Northern … [Read more...] about Northern Virginia property owners are delighted Amazon HQ2 is moving in. Renters, first-time buyers, and low-income residents aren’t. What might happen if Amazon moves to your city? Will Amazon’s HQ2 be a good neighbor or a nightmare? (The Washington Post)
PRRAC in the News
Elizabeth Warren Introduces Plan to Expand Affordable Housing and Dismantle Racist Zoning Practices (The Intercept)
By Rachel M. Cohen, The Intercept The week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., introduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, one of the most far-reaching federal housing bills in decades. The legislation calls for a half-trillion dollar investment in affordable housing over the next 10 years, creating up to 3.2 million new units for low- and middle-income families. … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Warren Introduces Plan to Expand Affordable Housing and Dismantle Racist Zoning Practices (The Intercept)
Elizabeth Warren’s Ambitious Fix for America’s Housing Crisis (The Atlantic)
By Madeleine Carlisle, The Atlantic Ten years ago, the subprime-mortgage crisis stripped millions of Americans of their homes. Many haven’t gotten those homes back and now face skyrocketing rents. Ask an economist, or any recent graduate trying to afford rent, and they’ll tell you: America is still in a housing crisis. On Tuesday, Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced a bill … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Warren’s Ambitious Fix for America’s Housing Crisis (The Atlantic)
Getting a Section 8 Voucher Is Hard. Finding a Landlord Willing to Accept It Is Harder. (Pew Stateline)
By Teresa Wiltz, Pew Stateline MCKINNEY, Texas — As a prospective tenant, B.R. Williams learned early on she needed a script to woo potential landlords: Mention her stellar rental history. Emphasize that Section 8 housing vouchers are “pro-landlord,” with most of the rent direct deposited each month. Always utter the magic words, “This is a no-fail system.” … [Read more...] about Getting a Section 8 Voucher Is Hard. Finding a Landlord Willing to Accept It Is Harder. (Pew Stateline)
‘Section 8 Need Not Apply’: States and Cities Outlaw Housing Discrimination (Governing Magazine)
By Mattie Quinn, Governing Magazine Washington state is the latest jurisdiction to pass a law to protect low-income renters from housing discrimination. House Bill 2578, which will go into effect at the end of September, makes it illegal for landlords to reject applicants based on their use of public assistance, including Section 8, Social Security or veterans benefits. … [Read more...] about ‘Section 8 Need Not Apply’: States and Cities Outlaw Housing Discrimination (Governing Magazine)
