Twin Cities sales tax bump will fund affordable housing programs
May 10, 2023 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Sales taxes in the Twin Cities metropolitan area will get a 0.25% bump to fund affordable housing under a bill awaiting the signature of Gov. Tim Walz.
The bill gives a record $1 billion boost to housing programs overall, but most of it is one-time money from the state’s $17.5 billion budget surplus.
Oregon lawmakers propose $200M for homelessness, housing
February 22, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers in Oregon have proposed a $200 million spending package to tackle homelessness and housing as the state struggles to build more homes and move a growing number of people off the streets.
German town sees blowback over relocations for refugees
February 22, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A German town's decision to relocate about 40 residents from their apartments to temporarily house refugees there has generated hundreds of hate mails and thousands of calls, an official said Wednesday.
Colorado considers using public land for affordable housing
February 3, 2023 GMTDENVER (AP) — Police officer Andy Sandoval lives in one the most beautiful places in the world near Vail, Colorado, where world-famous ski resorts are nestled between Rocky Mountain peaks. His living situation for years, though, was far less dreamy.
Oregon pins hopes on mass timber to boost housing, jobs
January 28, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Inside a warehouse at the industrial Port of Portland lies what some believe could be the answer to Oregon's housing crisis — a prototype of an affordable housing unit made from mass timber.
Carney proposes operating budget increase of more than 7%
January 26, 2023 GMTDOVER, Del. (AP) — Democratic Gov. John Carney is proposing to boost Delaware’s government operating budget by more than 7% over the current year’s budget, with hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending for state employee pay raises, health care and affordable housing.
Hawaii governor proposes tax relief to lower cost of living
January 24, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday proposed investing $1 billion in affordable housing and giving tax breaks to people of all income levels to lower the cost of living in the islands.
Walz proposes $300M to aid Minnesota public safety agencies
January 23, 2023 GMTROSEVILLE, Minn., (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz rolled out more pieces of his budget Monday, calling for $300 million to support public safety agencies across the state, over $1 billion to expand affordable housing, and allowing more residents to buy into the MinnesotaCare health plan for the working poor.
Colorado Gov. Polis lays out housing solutions amid crisis
January 18, 2023 GMTDENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis laid out a vision Tuesday to tackle the state's sky-high housing prices that includes proposals to roll back burdensome building regulations and zoning rules, open public land to affordable housing development, and support innovation such as pre-built units.
Hawaii housing woes top agenda as lawmakers return next week
January 13, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Affordable housing, expanding pre-K education and addressing corruption are top of the agenda as Hawaii lawmakers return to the state Capitol next week.
The state Legislature on Wednesday is scheduled to open a new session that will last through early May.
Minnesota joins other states in affordable housing promises
January 11, 2023 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Weeks after the Biden administration announced new efforts to curb homelessness, Minnesota's top political leaders promised Wednesday to “bring it home” on legislation that would expand affordable housing.
‘A man-made disaster’: Oregon’s new governor tackles housing
January 11, 2023 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's newly sworn-in Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek signed three executive orders intended to combat homelessness on her first full day in office Tuesday, a sign of how critical the shortage of affordable housing has become in the state and across the nation.
NY governor pledges new psychiatric beds, bail reform talks
January 10, 2023 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stressed her commitment to public safety in her annual address to state lawmakers Tuesday, pledging to expand the number of available beds in psychiatric treatment facilities and to again tackle the politically sensitive issue of bail reform.