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The Towns Outsmarting Airbnb

Corey Buhay

April 02, 2024 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Several cities have fully banned or passed ordinances regulating Airbnb and other short-term rentals to prevent the cities from being overrun by tourists and rental properties. These policies combat the “Airbnb effect” that has been seen in cities from Irvine, California all the way to Bed-Stuy in New York. Cities that have passed these ordinances see lower rent rates, more equitable housing markets and a more sustainable tourism economy.

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Giving buildings a new, green lease on life

Krithiga Narayanan

February 02, 2024 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: India, Chennai

An architect in Chennai, India, is retrofitting private residences and public buildings to be more sustainable. They make changes like installing energy-efficient upgrades, solar panels, improved ventilation, and low-flow plumbing fixtures to reduce water and energy consumption.

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The Simple, Ancient Idea That Can Replace Concrete Walls

Hannah Kirshner

December 06, 2023 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Japan, Yamanaka Onsen

The Dry Stone Walling School of Japan is keeping the tradition of building walls out of stones collected from the neighboring environment alive by connecting students with local craftsmen. Building walls this way is a viable alternative to concrete that supports biodiversity and produces less carbon emissions.

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How a staffing crisis launched Eagle County School District into the affordable housing business

Rae Solomon

November 03, 2023 |

KUNC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Eagle, Colorado

The affordable housing crisis in Eagle, Colorado, is creating a severe staff shortage in local schools. So, the school district is partnering with organizations and developers like Habitat for Humanity to develop a mix of new apartments and houses that will be made available to school employees at affordable prices.

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Amid housing crisis, Breckenridge hopes to preserve local workforce through home preservation

Stephanie Daniel

October 13, 2023 |

KUNC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Breckenridge, Colorado

The Housing Helps program in the popular tourist town of Breckenridge, Colorado, provides homeowners, buyers, and businesses providing housing for their employees with funding for repairs, assessments, and down payments. The program aims to support home preservation and supply more affordable housing for locals.

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Printing a place to live: In Central Texas, homes are being built with emerging 3D technology

Noah Alcala Bach

October 06, 2023 |

The Texas Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Round Top, Texas

Two Texas-based companies are 3D printing homes in an effort to combat the housing crisis and produce fewer emissions than a typical home construction. The companies lay the foundation and rebar for support. Then, a machine with a robotic arm builds up the walls by printing layers of a cement-like material.

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Sacramento turns to 'micro apartments' to ease affordable housing crunch

Chris Nichols

September 11, 2023 |

CapRadio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Micro apartment communities with rent prices well below the city average are popping up in Sacramento as a way to address the affordable housing crisis. The units in these buildings are often significantly less than 500 square feet, can house no more than two people, and must provide a kitchen and a bathroom. To live there, tenants have to meet specific income requirements.

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The buildings constructed from cannabis

Francesca Perry

June 18, 2023 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Cambridgeshire

Hempcrete, a combination of hemp, water, and lime, can be used as a more sustainable insulation option for buildings. The material improves energy efficiency, produces less carbon than options like fiberglass and foam, and will continue to capture carbon while used as insulation.

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Beyond the Yuck Factor: Cities Turn to ‘Extreme' Water Recycling

Jim Robbins

June 06, 2023 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

San Francisco is popularizing centralized water reuse systems that collect blackwater from toilets and sinks and greywater from showers and washing machines to clean it and use it again. This is a cheaper, more sustainable option for nonpotable water used to water plants or flush toilets in a city struggling with water scarcity.

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Where The Community Owns The Real Estate

Lucas Grindley

May 29, 2023 |

Next City |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Kensington Corridor Trust acquires properties along three blocks in its Philadelphia neighborhood to give the community agency and control over how that real estate is used, with an emphasis on keeping housing affordable. The trust has acquired 16 properties so far and has signed its first commercial tenant, providing space for a local business owner.

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