Latest news with #affordableHousing
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
A priority for Guernsey voters is a housing plan
Rachel Davidson, 36, lives in St Peter Port with her husband, two children and her assistance dog Lily - and works for a local Guernsey says of the Guernsey general election's hot topics: "The vast majority of candidates have picked up on housing as an issue and I completely agree."A recent study found Guernsey's young people did not see a future for themselves in the island. "We are driving away a lot of our lovely local people, our great young people because they are being completely priced out of the housing market by ridiculously high rents and by lack of availability of affordable housing," Ms Davidson said. Guernsey Election 2025: The count A report previously found that Guernsey only added "one affordable home in two years" to the housing thinks an election can "cause tensions" within families, friend groups and also online when discussing political views."You go on social media at the moment and there are really personal, nasty insults being flung around, directed at candidates sometimes or sometimes members of the public directing them at each other."I've found it hard, for example, finding out that various people who I've been friends with and really thought that they were very supportive then have turned around and made comments about disability rights and women's rights and things that I've felt very passionate about."I can't see the person in the same way again when I know that actually they stand against things that I am very passionate about." Anik Hubert, who is 27 and has recently become a mum says that although Guernsey is "absolutely brilliant, there are things that need to change".She has picked her candidates based on her priorities of mental health, education, housing and plans to help retain young people in the Hubert is already looking to the future and wants to live in an island with a lower cost of living, where her children can afford to rent or buy a house and work in a job "that they really want to". "At the minute, there's a lot of people that have left the island because of the economy or they can't come back but they want to."She also found it important to look at candidates who had signed up to the LGBT rainbow pledge for charity said it wanted LGBTQ+ people to "feel seen, heard, and valued in Guernsey's political and public life"."It would be amazing if, in four years' time, I can look back and think I voted for those people and look what they've done." Anik's feedback for the next election would be for to become more digital rather than print a large manifesto booklet for each 2025 Guernsey general election booklet cost taxpayers £133,026.89 to produce and distribute across the island, according to the States."I would have happily just read all of these online and know a lot of other people would have. So I think maybe in four years' time we should only print these upon request."I know that there are people that really benefit from having a paper copy and that's great, and they can request one, but I think we could probably cut money in half in four years' time by not printing so many."
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
How building fewer staircases could change Edmonton's housing market
Most apartment buildings in North America follow a familiar model: long hallways with units on either side and two stairwells at opposite ends. But Edmontonians might be seeing a different design start to emerge that breaks from that mould. Single-staircase buildings aren't typically allowed in Alberta's building code for projects more than two storeys. But a new guide from the City of Edmonton is charting a path through the regulatory hurdles. Also called point access block or single egress, advocates say they open up new missing middle housing options that allow for nicer units, family-friendly three-bedroom apartments, and can bring affordable housing opportunities. The shift in Edmonton comes alongside a wider push to change the national building code — and changes at the provincial level in B.C. Armando Hernandez, principal of Dualita Architecture, said in an interview that he's been interested in single-stair buildings for a number of years — but the guide from the city gave the certainty needed to take the plunge in actually trying to build one. Hernandez revised a plan that he had already drawn up for a three-story walk-up and removed one of the staircases. The redesign allowed him to add in-suite laundry, make the kitchen bigger and add a small den. Can fewer stairs make housing more affordable? Hernandez said two staircase norms create an economy of scale where developers build apartments with a larger footprint to help distribute the cost of the additional staircase. But for a smaller developer, he estimates removing a staircase can save up to $60,000. "Square footage equals money," he said. "The most impact you will see is for small buildings like this — for infill." Hernandez said it can also allow developers to fit more units into a design, which can lower the cost per unit as well. How does it work? Since 2006, the building code has contained an alternative solutions path. It can be used for innovative ways of doing things that fall outside of the building code — provided they have specific performance objectives to prove the new solution is equal or better to the existing rules. Cameron Bardas, senior engineer strategist in the city building department, said the path has been around for decades but is underutilized. So the city is accepting building permit applications for single-stair buildings with alternative solutions. Bardas said some of those may include: Sprinklers. Widened stairwells. Additional fire resistance ratings between suites and corridors. Stairwell pressurization to prevent smoke migrating throughout the building. But he noted in the Edmonton alternative solution pathway, there is no prescriptive list of solutions — unlike in the B.C. case. While the B.C. change is very comprehensive, Bardas said it doesn't provide enough flexibility for developers. Opposition to single egress Elliot Davis, president of the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association, said buildings with one exit are inherently more dangerous. "We have substantial issues with the initiative," Davis said. "Those regulations exist to ensure that we minimize fire fatality." Davis described a stairwell as a safe haven for firefighters in a burning building. They're typically positive pressure environments, where crews can find a breath of fresh air — and can serve as a home base where they store ladders, extinguishers and tools. With residents fleeing and constantly opening doors into a single stairwell, it will bring smoke and congestion, which Davis said is less safe. "We know that the cost of living is high and that affordable housing is a big factor of that. I don't, however, think somebody wants to get themselves into an affordable living scenario just to be trapped in a structure fire." While the city did consultation with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services in preparing the guide, Greg Rehman, president of the Edmonton Fire Fighters' Union, told CBC he is also against the initiative. Is it time to change the code? There's been a request to change the national building code made to the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes. Bardas hopes Edmonton can serve as an example in that discussion — so all regions can have the same rules. "We'd love to provide data points to say 'Here's how some of these buildings have been built, here's how engineers have done the very efficient work of showing appropriate design considerations.' " Davis said he would rather see a change to the national building code than alternate solution pathways because it would go through more engagement with relevant stakeholders like firefighters. In a statement to CBC, Dan Williams, minister of municipal affairs, said Alberta needs more housing options, which is why the province created a construction codes working group. "The group is exploring possible code amendments to allow for single egress apartments, but any decision to allow for this will not be made without carefully considering the potential safety implications that may come with it," the statement read. For Hernandez, the building permit he's about to submit is a bit of an experiment to see if it'll get approved. And when he looks at the suggestions and requirements involved, he thinks its still a cautious approach.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Sanders endorses socialist Mamdani in move to block Cuomo in NYC mayoral race
Rising democratic socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has secured the backing of one of the most influential figures on the American Left as he looks to edge out former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination. Mamdani, 33, a New York state assembly member, on Tuesday secured the backing of former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. It's a major boost for Mamdani, who has also scored the endorsement of progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., thereby locking in the two most prominent national figures of the Left. Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders took part in a nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" earlier this year which tapped into discontent with President Donald Trump and sought to energize the democratic socialist movement while advocating for policies similar to Mamdani. "We need a new politics and new leadership which is prepared to stand up to powerful corporate interests and fight for the working class," Sanders said in a statement, according to several reports. "Zohran Mamdani is running an inspirational grassroots campaign, centered on the construction of 200,000 new affordable housing units, a rent freeze, free public buses, cutting fines and fees for small businesses, investing in citywide mental health services, city-owned grocery stores, universal free childcare and a minimum wage increase." Sanders also said that Mamdani will pay for his agenda by taxing the richest 1% of New Yorkers, and said that his campaign is being funded largely through small-dollar donations, "unlike the corporate Democratic establishment," in a dig at Cuomo. Mamdani has been rising in the most recent public opinion polls in the mayoral primary race and is now a clear second to the more moderate former governor. "At this dangerous moment in history, status quo politics isn't good enough," Sanders, who was born in Brooklyn, wrote on X on Tuesday, sharing a Mamdani post about his endorsement. "We need new leadership that is prepared to stand up to powerful corporate interests and fight for the working class." Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and moved to the U.S. when he was 7, gushed over the endorsement in his post. "As for so many across this country, @BernieSanders has been the single most influential political figure in my life," Mamdani wrote. "As mayor, I will strive to live up to his example by fighting for the working class every day and hopefully make Brooklyn's own proud." With multiple progressive candidates in the primary race, the endorsement of Mamdani by Sanders seeks to unite fractured progressive voters towards a single candidate in an attempt to block the more moderate Cuomo from returning to power. New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and state Sen. Jessica Ramos are among the progressives still in the race. Ramos has even endorsed Cuomo while staying in the race herself. Four years ago, New York City's progressives failed to unite behind a single candidate, which paved the way for now-Mayor Eric Adams, a moderate Democrat, to win the primary and eventually the general election. Adams announced in early April that he would run for re-election as an independent candidate rather than seek the Democratic Party nomination. Early voting kicked off on Saturday, with Election Day being on June 24. Sanders was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1991, serving for 16 years before being elected to the Senate.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Fannie, Freddie Need Rules to Avoid ‘Race to the Bottom,' NHC Says
Privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac risks a return to the kind of perilous mortgages that helped cause the global financial crisis unless regulatory safeguards are kept in place, an affordable housing nonprofit said in a paper on Tuesday. 'This is essential to averting the 'race to the bottom' that ultimately drove down credit standards during the run-up' to 2008, according to the paper by the National Housing Conference, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg News.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Detroit mayoral hopefuls spar over housing, safety, jobs and taxes in TV debate
Four Detroit mayoral candidates took the stage Monday at Wayne State University's Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center, tackling pressing issues in the city in a debate with no rebuttals. Candidates were faced with policy questions on public safety, affordable housing, education, job creation, taxes and equitable neighborhood investment. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Triumph Church Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr., former Detroit Police Chief James Craig and former Council President Saunteel Jenkins each participated in the debate hosted by WDIV-Local 4 and AARP, moderated by WDIV journalist Jason Colthorp. Nine candidates are vying for the seat, but organizers limited debate participation to those performing above a 10% polling threshold, using survey data gathered by the Glengariff Group. Left out of the debate were Councilman Fred Durhal III, attorney Todd Perkins, east side resident DaNetta Simpson and businessmen Jonathan Barlow and Joel Haashiim. Detroiters will go to the polls in an Aug. 5 primary and a Nov. 5 general election to choose a new mayor for the first time in 12 years. Mayor Mike Duggan is leaving office after serving three terms to run for Michigan governor as an independent candidate. More: Here's who is running for Detroit mayor in the 2025 election Watch replay: 4 Detroit mayoral candidates debate at Wayne State University The candidates each focused on developing more community policing and building trust between residents and law enforcement. "This is not important to anyone on this stage more than me because I lost my 14-year-old brother to gun violence," Jenkins said. "We have to have safe space for our young people between the most dangerous hours of the day, and that is 3 p.m. and 8 p.m." Craig touted his experience as police chief in multiple cities. "When I got here in 2013, the community didn't trust the police department," Craig said, noting the high homicide rates and hourlong police response times of the pre-bankruptcy era. "I will continue to build on the successes that we realized during my tenure. But need to focus on neighborhood police officers." Sheffield said the city cannot police its way out of gun violence and needs invest in Community Violence Intervention programs. "We have organizations that go out into our neighborhoods and within those zip codes, we see a 50% reduction in crime in those areas," Sheffield said. "We also do have to focus more on prevention." Kinloch pushed providing more opportunities to Detroiters, including jobs, to reduce crime. "Every resident deserves safety and justice," Kinloch said, adding that the city needs to reduce to costly legal settlements that stem from lawsuits against the police department. "In the last three years, City Council approved more than $63 million in DPD settlements," Kinloch added, proposing more mental health professionals within the department and more pay for officers. Michigan Chronicle Executive Editor Jeremy Allen asked candidates how they expect to increase affordable housing without relying heavily on state or federal funding. Sheffield praised the city's investments, thus far, of at least $1 billion in creating and preserving affordable housing, but said the path ahead is filled with hurdles. "We have to address the fact that the cost of construction of doing affordable housing in Detroit is extremely high, so a lot of times we have to provide abatements to allow for the numbers to match out," Sheffield said. "We also have to address the real issue, which is we have extremely high property taxes." Kinloch fired back at her praise of $1 billion in housing investments by raising the issue of two kids who died last winter while living in a van. "When we start talking about 'we built a billion dollars in housing' when the median income in this city is less than $40,000 a year, you cannot say you're building affordable housing when the average person in the city is not making $800 a week," Kinloch said, adding the city should look into more options for down payment assistance and help maintaining homes. Jenkins agreed with Kinloch, further taking aim at Sheffield, who later told the Free Press "this is what happens in politics," and that she plans to stay focused on the city's needs. Detroit's unemployment rate was at 7.5% earlier this year. "I was in the front seat of Mayor Duggan negotiating Stellantis brining a plant to the city," said Craig. "He negotiated 3,500 Detroiters to be hired by Stellantis." The challenge for many applicants, he said was an entry exam that many could not pass. Sheffield's goal is to invest in workforce development programs to ensure "Detroiters have the skills that are equipped for the jobs for today and of tomorrow." Jenkins said she hopes to prioritize workforce development programs and partner with businesses to ensure schools create long-term educational pathways for children. "We should be asking, 'What are the jobs you are hiring for today, what will you be hiring 12 months from now and what will you be hiring for five years from now?'" Jenkins said. Detroit's school system is not under the purview of the mayor, but each of the candidates hope to tackle many of the school system's burdens in some capacity. Kinloch promises to appoint a chief education officer in his first 100 days, if elected, to work with the school system to ensure, among other things, that absenteeism declines. Sheffield believes the mayor "can be involved in changing outcomes" and expects to partner with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to establish a commission that brings traditional public and charter schools together to measure outcomes of Detroit's youth. That includes addressing absenteeism and social issues preventing students from showing up to school. Jenkins said she's worked with underperforming schools across the nation, including Detroit, helping address social determinants holding back students. She added one of the programs included social workers on the ground in schools several days a week to help parents who needed help with basic needs. Craig said morale among teachers is low. "Nothing has been done ... the morale of the teachers is at the bottom," Craig said. "These children go into those environments and guess what? They don't want to be there." Jenkins said property and income taxes make up a large part of the city's revenue, and to reduce them, the city needs to secure alternative sources of revenue. "We can continue to reduce the millage gradually, but it does not give real relief to Detroiters," Jenkins said. "I would find a new revenue source such as what I'm calling a 'penny for Detroiters' local tax. That one cent can generate over $100 million, which would give us a revenue source that enables us to dramatically reduce our property taxes and make it more affordable to buy a home and live here." Sheffield echoed Jenkins' call for establishing new forms of tax revenue before the city can begin seeking to reduce property taxes. "We are not capitalizing on the economic activity that is happening in downtown Detroit to the benefit that we could," Sheffield said, adding she would look at potentially levying a local sales tax, or a "half-penny tax," though the proposal needs further study. High property taxes did not happen overnight, nor will it be solved overnight, Kinloch said. "What we will do is continue to decrease the millage and the points, but one of the things we have to do is continue to lobby with the state and make sure we deal with the real issue, which is the structure and system and how we're disproportionately overtaxed in the city of Detroit," Kinloch said. Craig focused on driving small and large business development. "We have to leverage our state partners, and yes, the White House. We have to have a mayor that can reach out and touch the assistance," Craig said. "(American Rescue Plan Act) funds are running out next year, what are we going to replace it with? I'm calling for an independent forensic audit on the financial health of our city." Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@ Follow her: @DanaAfana This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit mayoral candidates have their say on the issues in TV debate
