At a Glance The AP says June was the second weakest month on record for new home sales.
With a View Like That Who Needs a Roof? Hawaii has become a haven for the homeless. According to this AP piece, the Aloha State’s homeless population has grown by 15% in the past year due to its weather, scenery and generous support services. Although the newly displaced have yet disrupt to tourism, Hawaii could shoulder a heavy financial burden in supporting the homeless population. Possible solutions include creating “tent cities” on less visible land, the seemingly heartless one-way ticket home option, or offering more affordable housing. We tend to lean towards the latter. Join us in Honolulu, HI in October for the final Bring Workers Home forum to discuss sustainable housing options.
“Baby on Board” Discrimination Following a NYT article highlighting mortgage lenders’ practice of discriminating against new or expectant parents, the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is launching an investigation. HUD issued a statement on Wednesday saying these discriminatory practices could violate fair housing laws.
Going Global Again Kenya’s National Housing Corporation and an Iranian Company, Mahan Industries Limited, have entered into a partnership that will create 2,000 to 3,000 affordable housing units in Nairobi and 90 other towns across the country in the next 5 years. The partnership not only signals a new era in affordable housing for the country but also the peaceful future between Kenya and Iran.
Image: Homeless tents in Hawaii, via tour.airstreamlife.com