Results for: Housing

The Church of England has been met with criticism for their extensive freehold property portfolio, which has been branded a “feudal property empire” by Lord Truscott. This comes as peers debate the Leasehold and Reform Bill, which seeks to lower expenses for leaseholders by eliminating marriage value. Critics argue that this move will harm freeholders like the Church, while proponents emphasize the injustice of the current system. Amidst the discussion, Baroness Fox denounced the notion of feudal property rights, while Housing Minister Baroness Scott defended the government’s stance on abolishing marriage value.

The Eagan Advisory Planning Commission has recommended a land use change for the former Thomson Reuters site to a mix of light industrial and residential use. The developer’s proposal includes 120 acres for industrial use and 59 acres for housing, including townhomes, twin homes, and single-family homes. Some residents have expressed concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety, as well as the preservation of green space and trees in the area.

Mayor Dan Kutcher’s inaugural state-of-the-city address for Summerside focused on the challenges and opportunities brought by the city’s rapid population growth, which has surpassed 10% in recent years. This growth, while necessary to address labor shortages, has also led to an increase in unhoused individuals, prompting the city to coordinate support services. Summerside is actively building new housing to accommodate its growing population, with over 500 units under construction last summer and an east-west housing corridor project underway. The city has also made progress in revitalizing its downtown with the Regent development and is working to enhance the area’s safety and accessibility. Mayor Kutcher emphasized the city’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting its renewable energy infrastructure and plans for hydrogen power generation.

Angela Rayner, standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs, has sharply criticized the Tories’ handling of housing and accused Deputy PM Oliver Dowden of disloyalty to Boris Johnson. Rayner, the Shadow Housing Secretary, referred to Dowden’s support for Rishi Sunak’s leadership bid and accused the Tories of being ‘obsessed’ with her personal life. She also attacked the government for failing renters and for abandoning the promise to ban no-fault evictions before the general election.

Despite the inclusion of a significant housing initiative, the Liberal government’s latest budget has failed to impress voters according to a recent poll. While 65% of respondents support the $8.5 billion housing plan, just 21% expressed a positive opinion of the budget overall. Notably, the plan to increase spending on defense received support from 70% of those over the age of 55 but only 45% of those between 18 and 35. The poll also revealed that 47% of respondents prefer spending cuts to balance the budget, while only 16% advocate for increased spending and deficits. The government’s proposed changes to the capital gains tax, intended to improve generational fairness, garnered support from 60% of respondents over the age of 55. However, the Canadian Medical Association has raised concerns about the potential impact on physician recruitment and retention.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has reversed his promise to ban no-fault evictions before the next general election. The Conservative government had initially pledged to end the practice, which allows landlords to evict tenants without reason, five years ago. However, Gove now says that he only “hopes” the ban will be enacted before the election. Charities blame no-fault evictions for rising homelessness, and the delayed ban has drawn criticism from campaigners and opposition parties.

Older homeowners are facing financial challenges as they grapple with rising costs and a changing housing market. Many have large mortgage balances despite owning their homes for years, and downsizing has become increasingly difficult. The situation is compounded by factors such as rising interest rates, property taxes, and insurance rates.

New York lawmakers and Governor Hochul have reached an agreement on the housing provisions included in the state budget, which address some of the urgent housing needs in the state. However, advocates emphasize that more work is necessary to address the long-standing housing crisis. Despite the progress made, they caution that significant challenges remain, including a shortage of affordable housing and rising rents. The budget includes measures to replace the expired 421a tax abatement program, remove restrictive floor area ratio caps, and expand eviction protections. However, lawmakers are urged to prioritize housing throughout the year and not just during the budget season. The demand for housing, particularly in areas with strong public transportation, remains high, and lawmakers are encouraged to continue pushing for policies that promote housing construction.

The government has been accused of weakening a landmark renters’ reform bill after intense lobbying from Tory landlords. The Renters’ Reform Bill, which aims to ban no-fault evictions and outlaw fixed-term tenancies, will be voted on in the Commons today. However, ministers have watered down the ban on no-fault evictions, making it dependent on unspecified future court improvements. Labour and charities have slammed the changes, accusing the government of appeasing Tory landlords at the expense of tenants.

As the Supreme Court reviews the Grants Pass, Ore. v. Gloria Johnson case, the fate of ordinances that criminalize homelessness hangs in the balance. Advocates argue these ordinances violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, while cities maintain they’re necessary for public health and safety. The court’s decision will have far-reaching implications for the estimated tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness in the United States.