housing

housing-human-right
Caitlyn McKenney
February 5, 2025
Economics
67

Is Housing a Human Right?

Caitlyn McKenney
February 5, 2025
Economics
67
The U.S. Constitution establishes life, liberty and property as unalienable rights but makes no room for a human right to the provision of housing. Read More ›
seattle-urban-sprawl-with-colorful-trees-in-autumn-aerial-st-182914709-stockpack-adobe_stock
Seattle Urban Sprawl with colorful trees in autumn - aerial
Image Credit: Dene' Miles - Adobe Stock
Caitlyn McKenney
February 4, 2025
Economics, Homelessness
4

Sensible WA Tenancy Laws Will Help Housing Stability

Caitlyn McKenney
February 4, 2025
Economics, Homelessness
4
The common reality shared by housing providers across the Greater Seattle region is that housing instability has been furthered by policies that restrict providers' ability to speedily evict tenants who threaten the peace and safety of their neighbors. Read More ›
Housing Featured Images (1)
Caitlyn McKenney
January 15, 2025
Economics
4

The YIMBY Movement Faces Challenges on Both Sides of the Aisle

Caitlyn McKenney
January 15, 2025
Economics
4
“Yes In My Backyard” — if the phrase has yet to enter your lexicon, the YIMBY movement is a growing cultural and political response to its predecessor, NIMBY (“Not In My Backyard”). As the nation faces a shortage of nearly 4 million homes, a pro-housing response is understandably on the rise. And while the YIMBY movement has garnered impressive traction on both sides of the political aisle — Harris and Trump have both vocalized pro-housing development sentiment — it is also not immune to criticism from both sides. Read More ›
Housing Featured Images
Caitlyn McKenney
December 18, 2024
Economics, Homelessness
5

As Region Faces Shortage, Seattle Needs to Preserve its Existing Housing 

Caitlyn McKenney
December 18, 2024
Economics, Homelessness
5
According to a 2024 report on housing production from Up For Growth, the metro area encompassing Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue is facing a shortage of 71,060 homes. That amounts to 4.2% of the region’s total housing stock. While the production of new homes is vital to closing the gap between supply and demand, so is the preservation of existing housing, especially affordable housing. Read More ›
Seattle overregulation-8
Caitlyn McKenney
October 30, 2024
Economics
7

Affordable Housing Owner Sues City of Seattle: Unpacking the Lawsuit

Caitlyn McKenney
October 30, 2024
Economics
7
To understand why a privately-owned housing building is in default, facing over $40 million in liabilities, and “hemorrhaging money,” in an affluent west-coast city, we must look at a series of Seattle ordinances that, while well-intended, have heaped negative consequences on housing providers with compounding effects. Read More ›
Seattle overregulation-7
Caitlyn McKenney
October 23, 2024
Economics, Homelessness
5

Washington Law Unfairly Keeps Prior Evictions Off Tenant Screenings

Caitlyn McKenney
October 23, 2024
Economics, Homelessness
5

When it comes to tenant’s rights laws, good intentions don’t always lead to good or fair outcomes. One example is a Washington State law that allows tenants to keep their eviction from being disclosed to future housing providers. The state allows an order of limited dissemination (OLD) to be filed for eviction cases to prevent housing providers from denying tenants Read More ›

typical-buildings-in-soho-in-new-york-stockpack-adobe-stock-239267836-stockpack-adobe_stock
Typical buildings in Soho in New York
Image Credit: jjfarq - Adobe Stock
Marvin Olasky
October 18, 2024
Homelessness
5

Inequity and Iniquity in Manhattan Housing

Marvin Olasky
October 18, 2024
Homelessness
5
In 2015, the May 15 cover of New York Magazine ran this headline: “New York Real Estate Is the New Swiss Bank Account: Foreigners are flooding the market to stash, hide, and sometimes launder their money.” That intrigued me, because I had done some research into Manhattan condos selling for $20 million and up. Read More ›
Seattle overregulation (1)
Caitlyn McKenney
October 16, 2024
Economics
6

Seattle Housing Providers Face Millions in Unpaid Rent

Caitlyn McKenney
October 16, 2024
Economics
6
Affordable, subsidized housing in Seattle is in crisis. Several months ago, the City of Seattle announced $14 million in one-time funding intended to stabilize affordable housing providers. The Office of Housing received 24 applications requesting roughly $22 million. These 24 housing providers own and manage 10,200 affordable housing units across the city, and a public records request for their applications reveals just how dire the future of affordable housing in Seattle is. Read More ›