Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

Who is putting together a social impact bond package for housing? Bank of America What does the bond package include? $2 billion of bonds to help fight inequality in Black and Hispanic communities “aims to fight longstanding inequities in America’s minority communities, which the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated.” will also fund “entrepreneurship and venture capitalism […]

COVID-19 Economic Renewal Capital Market Risk Public & Private Indebtedness Affordable Housing Flow of People Space Utilization Technology & Workflow Infrastructure ESGin real estate investment Who decided on this list? Counselors of Real Estate Counselors of Real Estate | 2020-21 Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate®

Where is an increased water buffer being considered? Frederick County Council , Maryland What is a water buffer proposal? An increase to the existing 100-150 foot wide buffer setback requirement further into waterfront land during any land subdivision process. What do opponents say? it is immoral “unnecessary restrictions can cause undue harm to landowners and farmers […]

California passed AB3088 (2020 | CA) , the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020, that protects residential tenants from eviction if they are unable to pay rent due between March 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021. San Francisco is considering an ordinance to the this further by  barring landlords from executing a no-fault eviction until […]

Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-0333 answers whether a city, the City of Horseshoebay specifically, whether a municipality may enact an ordinance that conditions receipt of a building permit? Translating the legalese, can an Architectural Committee overrule other building code provisions? Why does this matter in Texas? In 2019, the Legislature passed House Bill 2439 (2019 […]

Open Office Floor Plans and COVID are not symbiotic. To counter that, meet ROOM. ROOM, New York-based startup, is part fo the NEW Economy. What is ROOM? It began selling private phone call booths to open offices, with clients including Uber, Google, and Salesforce. COVID pivot at Room led to it offering Office booths for […]

A REIT launched in London, Home REIT, that has the purpose of supporting housing for the homeless. How will this work? the REIT investments will fund leases of 20 to 30 years to registered charities, housing associations, and other regulated organizations that receive housing benefits or other support from the government to fund housing for […]

Where is a debate occurring about a reinsurance system for fire coverage? California Why? Wild fires and coverages issues related to wild fires What did industry propose? AB 2167 (2020 | CA) How did the legislation fare? Consumers groups opposed the industry legislation saying it contravened the state constitution. The bill has been amended to […]

Government required green parking spaces are the newest way to lure in EV drivers. The Telegraph | Green parking spaces could encourage EV drivers under Government plans

Hotels in Austin, TX and other locations are adapting to COVID by offering socially distanced and sanitized spaces for those in need of office and meeting space. Unlike traditional office leases, can be reserved on a per day basis. Are there other perks as this market heats up? Yes, amenities such as the pool, gym, […]