Converting churches to housing

We talk about converting office buildings to housing and the building code hurdles that can exist. Let’s turn to converting churches to housing. Meet SB 4 (2023 | CA), Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act, that supports faith based organizations that convert their surplus properties to build 100 percent affordable housing. Maryland, New York and Virginia are considering the same, and the cities of Atlanta, Pasadena, San Antonio, San Diego and Seattle have passed similar legislation.

Governing | Can Struggling Houses of Worship Be Turned Into Housing? Not Always.

Building Codes for thermal energy

States are passing building codes that focus on more thermal energy sources like heat pumps to heat and cool homes and buildings. “At the start of June, Eversource Energy commissioned the United States’ first networked geothermal neighborhood operated by a utility, in Framingham, Massachusetts”

Route Fifty | The secret to decarbonizing buildings might be right beneath your feet

Alabama paying for roofs

Big storms have left a path of destruction and led to rising insurance costs. To address the issue, Alabama passed legislation to pay for the cost of roofs the can withstand hurricanes. The goal of paying for roof upgrades is to stave off a home insurance crisis that leads to insurers pulling out of the state. 

“Since Alabama issued its first grant in 2016, the state has doled out more than $70 million to cover roof projects on almost 7,100 homes. Residents are entitled to up to $10,000 per project, issued on a first-come, first-served basis. State officials award the funding directly to contractors who bid on the work.”

Route Fifty | One state is pioneering paying for roof upgrades as storms boost insurance costs

Property Ownership Bans

Last year Florida passed a ban on Chinese nationals from owning property. SB 264 (2023 | FL)   The bill made it a felony for a person who does not have a green card, that includes long term workers who are here legally under HB-1 visas. The criminal statute also extends to sellers and real estate agents.

CNN | ‘They’re treating us like we’re spies’: Florida property ban has Chinese citizens fuming

Land Use: ADUs

 California’s ADU bill, AB 1332 (CA| 2023) , created online platforms for property owners and developers to review pre-approved ADU plans in their jurisdiction. “The Community Planning Collaborative, a housing policy and community engagement firm, has developed an online platform for government officials, architects and residents to manage authorized housing plans and where homeowners or developers will be able to find and select ADU projects they’d like to pursue. “ 

Route Fifty | Platform lets cities, residents shop granny flat options

AirBnB and Squatters

 There’s been talk of squatters in empty houses, of renters with lengthy leases squatting, and now AirBnB-ers are squatting. So it is said for a North Carolina Airbnb listing. An airBnB condo in Durham, NC has been occupied for 8 months, without payments. The original payments were paid in cash and negotiated off the app. Clearly these AirBnB guests know the law (this is sarcasm), as they posted a piece of paper on the door that proclaimed that they are “legal residents.”@entreprenuer

Park lands + mosquitos

Broward County, Florida, home to Two Live Crew and a notable Supreme Court 1st amendment ruling,  has turned to drones to spray for mosquitos in remote park lands and wetlands. This means no more machete wielding county workers spraying for mosquitos. The county also points to drone spraying as being  less invasive to private property. 

Governing | Broward County Enlists Drones to Help Keep Mosquitoes at Bay