Affordable Housing Challenges (Deep Dive Below 👇): In Florence, S.C., a plan to build 60 subsidized apartments in an affluent area initially received enthusiastic support. However, when affluent residents learned of the project, they vehemently opposed it, citing concerns over traffic and environmental impacts, though underlying issues of racial and economic segregation were palpable. Their opposition led to a swift and decisive action by the Council, which, led by the previously supportive chairman, rezoned the area in just over three minutes, effectively killing the project. (NYT)

Renting is King: In February 2024, buying a starter home in the 50 largest US metropolitan areas cost $1,027 more per month than renting, a 60.1% difference. Renting was the most affordable option in all 50 metros, up from 45 in February 2023. The top 10 metros favored renting, with monthly payments for a starter home exceeding rents by $1,950, or 95.6%. Austin had the highest difference, with buying a starter home costing 141.5% more than renting. Despite Houston's lower purchase costs, it also favored renting. In February 2023, the difference between buying and renting was $865 per month, compared to $1,027 in February 2024. (HW)

Recessions Are Good!? During the Great Recession, higher unemployment rates led to a decrease in mortality rates among Americans. The recession effectively extended the lifespan of 55-year-olds by one year. The areas with the most job losses also experienced a significant decline in air pollution, contributing to the drop in mortality rates. Cleaner air accounted for over a third of the decline in mortality during this time. These findings raise questions about the trade-off between economic growth and the health and well-being of the population. (BI)

Have you ever tried to assemble furniture with instructions written in a language you don't understand? That's kind of like developers trying to navigate government funding for affordable housing.

'Alright, it says here I need a flügelhorn, three squiggly lines, and oh, a tax credit from 1974. Perfect.

Let’s go!