Potential new funding for social housing? Our latest 50-state survey found significant variation in the priorities that state governments use to distribute federal housing funds – and the potential for greater commitments to social housing goals in the allocation plans for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME, and the National Housing Trust Fund. See our new report, “Social Housing Goals in State Allocation Plans: a 50 State Survey,” and a companion policy brief, “What can the Treasury Department do to expand public and community ownership of rental housing?”
Other news and resources
Progress on source of income discrimination in Missouri and Kentucky: Kansas City is poised to become the next big city to adopt a SOID ordinance, with support from KC tenants and the mayor – and following another recent ordinance adopted in Columbia, MO. In the meantime, advocates in Lexington, Kentucky have renewed their efforts to enact an ordinance there – with a vote scheduled in January.
Housing and health: The new “U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health,” released by the White House last week, recognizes the powerful links between housing security and positive health outcomes, and calls for flexibility in the use of Medicaid funds for housing services where necessary to support health (though surprisingly, the Playbook ignores the health impacts of segregation and poverty concentration, and the proven health benefits of reducing exclusionary zoning and expanding housing mobility for families on Medicaid).
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