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Mobile home that generates power offers option for life off the grid

Toru Ishii

September 12, 2019 |

The Asahi Shimbun |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

The use of mobile homes that run on renewable energy are beginning to take shape in Tokyo. Funded in part through crowdfunding and built by a citizen group and other volunteers, these homes are not only practical but can also teach younger generations about the environment.

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‘I just want more for them': New program aims to boost families' economic mobility

Lauren Lindstrom

September 09, 2019 |

The Charlotte Observer |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

Economic mobility becomes far more attainable when children grow up in a "high-opportunity" area as opposed to a "low-opportunity" area: housing within the city with access to transportation and amenities, higher-performing schools, and lower crime rates. An enhanced voucher program through the Charlotte Housing Authority offers families housing vouchers to move into high-opportunity areas. They also offer incentives to landlords who accept the vouchers, such as up to $1,000 to repair damage beyond normal wear and tear. The program is still new, and it will take generations to see its affects.

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The all-electric home: Tackling air pollution by cutting off natural gas

Heather May

August 27, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Herriman, Utah

In a collaborative effort between developers, power companies, and the government, a new apartment complex in Utah will be almost entirely powered by solar energy. The complex, developed by Wasatch Premier Communities, will work with Rocky Mountain Power to determine how to integrate such technology into the region’s electricity grid. This kind of development is gaining ground in Utah, and those in the industry hope to educate others of the benefits of going electric.

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Homes are a big part of Salt Lake City's air pollution problem. They also are the solution.

Heather May

August 26, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salt Lake City, Utah

Across Salt Lake City, Utah, housing developers are building more net zero energy homes. Facing air quality issues, the state has yet to set more energy efficient codes for new homes, which means the kind of homes being built by developers like Redfish, Garbett Homes, and Ivory Homes, are being constructed on a much smaller scale. Such homes, while costing 2-5% more to build, have shown to decrease energy costs by 50-60%.

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How Philly convinced business leaders to be part of the homelessness solution

Michaela Winberg

August 19, 2019 |

Billy Penn |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Seeking a solution to crowded sidewalks outside their storefronts and places of business, corporations have teamed up with the city of Philadelphia to help those facing homelessness. Programs such as Hub of Hope and the Mural Arts project provide people with free showers, laundry services, case management services, and a day of work and wages. Food pantries have also been set up, serving thousands of people and the Ambassadors of Hope team has helped 130 people into permanent housing. Homelessness is still a persistent problem in Philadelphia but the business community has helped alleviate it.

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Will Banning Single-Family Zoning Make for More Affordable Homes?

Deonna Anderson

July 31, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis serves as a model for other cities as it addresses the affordable housing crisis by de-incentivizing the development of single-family houses. By changing zoning laws to benefit the construction of duplexes and triplexes, the city makes room for more low-income families to afford to live in city limits.

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Back to the future with transit-oriented development

Tom Condon

July 29, 2019 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Britain, Connecticut

Connecticut cities like New Britain are taking a comprehensive approach to urban planning, incorporating public transportation and economic equity structures into redevelopment plans. By investing in "transit-oriented development," or TOD, along housing development coordinators, cities drive economic development while reducing the state's carbon footprint.

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How Women Are Leading the Charge to Recycle Whole Houses

Teresa Carey

July 24, 2019 |

Smithsonian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Leonardtown, Maryland

To avoid the waste that would incur from demolishing structures such as houses and apartment buildings, a reuse center in Maryland works with deconstruction crews to disassemble the buildings and then sells the salvaged materials at a reduced cost. Although "the trend is hardly noticed," this type of movement has spread across the United States and is mostly led by women.

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Banning foreign home buyers - the New Zealand experiment

Vivienne Nunis

July 15, 2019 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: New Zealand, Auckland

Housing affordability is a crisis that many countries face. New Zealand addressed the issue in a controversial way: by outright banning foreign ownership. Since it has come into effect, real estate pricing has gone down, and more properties are available for New Zealand residents. Critics argue that the ban coincided with world events like the Chinese government limiting how much money could leave the country into foreign events. They caution against attributing the lower prices to the ban itself and that it is still too early to see its true impact.

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This DC apartment building provides low-income families with solar power and a resilience center

Natasha Riddle

June 27, 2019 |

Greater Greater Washington |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Solar energy allows for housing that is both affordable and resilient to climate change and other emergencies. In Washington D.C., Jubilee Housing, non-profit that creates affordable housing, partnered with New Partners Community Solar Corp. to create a building with a solar array that reduces utility costs, and a Resiliency Center, a multi-use space that serves as an aid distribution point during emergencies. The building is part of Washington D.C.’s commitment to remaining on the list of 100 Resilient Cities.

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