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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently signed far-reaching legislation to boost housing production and address the high cost of housing in the Bay State. The Affordable Homes Act aims to build or save 65,000 homes through $5.1 billion in spending and 49 policy initiatives.
Minnesota recently enacted a first-in-the-nation statewide ban on smoking and vaping cannabis in multifamily properties including in individual living units. The law has an exemption for those using marijuana for medical purposes.
A movement to encourage more housing projects along the California coast has stalled out in the California legislature. Earlier this year, lawmakers, with the backing of some housing activists, introduced a series of bills aimed at making it easier to build apartments and accessory dwelling units along California’s highly regulated coast.
A new Atlanta law is intended to crack down on absentee landlords including commercial property owners and clean up neglected properties. The “Blight Tax” allows city officials to put levies on blighted property owners up to 25 times higher than current millage rates.
Improved safety, better adoption of electric scooters and autonomous vehicles are possible if drivers ease off the accelerator.
Payback ranges from five to 15 years.
Other states have no ban, but have strengthened building codes for tidal wave resilience.
Pop-up parks that provide instant open areas for public use and programming can revitalize under-utilized spaces and add vibrancy to neighborhoods.
The move follows successful public input on LEED 4.1.
Guidelines, common terminology, and testing methodology are needed, says expert.
American Concrete Institute offers guidance on assessment, repair, rehab of existing concrete structures.
The update adds credits to lower carbon footprints and to promote climate change resiliency.
The Forest Stewardship Council and other groups aim to help buyers understand and make it easier to locate lumber that meets sustainable forestry standards.
The walkability trend is spreading to urbanizing suburbs.
