Voters in many U.S. jurisdictions passed housing measures Nov. 8 that will collectively set aside billions of dollars in new funding to create more affordable housing and provide protections for renters.
Notable propositions impacting housing include:
- With 92% of votes counted, in Colorado, voters favored passage of Proposition 123, which would require the state to allocate about 2% of income tax revenues in the annual budget for affordable housing.
- A so-called “mansion tax” in Los Angeles appeared headed for passage. It would impose a one-time tax on residential and commercial property sales that exceed $5 million with money directed to construction of affordable housing, emergency rent subsidies, and services for those at-risk homelessness.
- Berkeley, Calif., passed a $650 bond measure that sets aside $200 million to create 1,500 affordable units for low-income residents and people experiencing homelessness.
- Oakland, Calif., passed a $350 million bond measure to buy, rehabilitate, and build affordable housing.
- A bond measure passed in Buncombe County, North Carolina, (including the City of Asheville) that raises $40 million to pay for low-to-moderate-income affordable housing.
- Austin, Texas, passed a $350 million bond measure for low-income rental housing, low-income homeownership, home repairs, and preservation of existing affordable housing.
- A $200 million bond package passed in Columbus, Ohio, to create new affordable units, aid affordable home ownership, preserve existing affordable units, and support residents experiencing homelessness.
- In Kansas City, Missouri, a $50 million bond measure will help rehabilitate, renovate, and construct housing for very low- to moderate-income households.
Related Stories
| Jul 12, 2012
Pennsylvania legislature moves to prevent undocumented workers on public construction projects
Legislation to prevent undocumented workers from being hired by construction companies working on state-funded projects passed the Pennsylvania Legislature.
| Jun 14, 2012
Minnesota Vikings stadium plan gets legislative go-ahead
Legislation that approved the construction of a new billion dollar stadium for the Minnesota Vikings passed the Minnesota legislature.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
Proposed change in Michigan’s building code would hurt innovation, say critics
Legislation pending before the Michigan Senate would change the law that calls for building codes to be updated every three years to require an update only every six years.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 25, 2012
Alaska’s okay of gravel aggregate with naturally occurring asbestos opens up development
Some long-delayed projects in the Upper Kobuk region of Alaska may now move forward thanks to legislation that allows construction in areas that have naturally occurring asbestos.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
| Apr 19, 2012
Michigan legislature tackling controversial rules on electricians
A fight is brewing in the Michigan legislature over how many fully qualified electricians must be present during electrical work when apprentices also are on hand.
| Apr 13, 2012
Congress’s action doesn’t mean Pentagon can’t build LEED gold structures
Though Congress passed a defense budget preventing the Department of Defense from spending money to achieve LEED gold or platinum certification, the Pentagon may still end up constructing buildings to those standards.
