How Zoning, Home Building, and “Intentional Communities” Kept Rent Lower in Minneapolis
Minneapolis beat back housing rent inflation through a combination of public policy reforms and lower interest rates that powered a historic housing expansion.
Category: Housing
Book Review: Living Downtown: The History of Residential Hotels in the United States
This is a book review of Living Downtown, a book about the history of rooming houses and residential hotels in the United States.
A Modest Proposal for Infill Development in the Midway
Considering quonsets as one response to contemporary housing issues in the Midway and beyond
DEEP DIVE: Why Housing Gaps Are a Central Issue in Society
Reflecting on housing as a human right and the systems that push people into housing insecurity.
Affordable Housing is a Paradox
“Affordable” housing is a paradox. It’s not actually affordable, and the engine of its development is the expiration of the affordability it claims to offer.
Minneapolis needs to reduce minimum lot sizes
How a simple, well-tested zoning change can make homeownership more affordable in the city.
A Design Professional’s Case for Statewide Housing Standards
A proposed townhome project stalled by neighbors illustrates how local control continues to fail to solve Minnesota’s need for more homes.
The Remarkable Garden of Miss Iris (Republished)
“Saint Paul by Bike” blogger Wolfie Browender leads readers to interesting neighborhoods throughout St. Paul. In Frogtown, he visits Frogtown Farms and Miss Iris, lover of plants, mosaics and other works of art.
Progress from 2024: Minneapolis Adds 574 New Homes with Adaptive Reuse
Through adaptive reuse, Minneapolis turned office space into 574 apartments. Possible new State legislature may make this easier, though the retail market remains challenging.
National Links: TXDOT’s Realization
Texas rethinks transit, global cities weigh road needs, voters boost housing, Millennials reshape small towns, and Seattle unveils a reimagined, post-viaduct waterfront.