Economic Development and Trade

Housing

May 2008

NCSL's focus on housing consists of several components: affordability, land use legislation including growth management and the relationship of land use to related environmental and economic development policies; emergency management, building codes, roles of common interest communities (CICs), environmental health issues such as healthy homes and manufactured housing. NCSL has files about comprehensive growth management laws in several states, nonregulatory measures related to easements and land trusts, and financing options to service growth and protect open space. NCSL also has files about various issues related to emergency management, building codes and healthy homes.

Affordability

• State Housing Task Forces: Comprehensive and Coordinated Initiatives
• Section 8 or Housing Assistance for Needy Families: What's in a Name?
• State Roles in the Future of Affordable Housing -- Some Recommendations by the Millenial Housing Commission, June 2003 by Cathy Atkins.
• "Affordable Housing: Issues and Trends," State Legislative Report, October 2002.
• "This is the House the Legislature Built," State Legislatures, Sept. 2001.
• "Teachers' Low-Interest Loans Promote 'Smart Growth'," State Legislatures, July/August 2000.

Building Codes

• New York City World Trade Center Building Code Task Force Issues Recommendations
• Pentagon Design Leads to Recommended Building Code Changes
• New Madrid Fault Shakes More Often Than Previously Believed
• Churches, Mosques and Synagogues Go Energy-Efficient, a summary by Cheryl Runyon.
• Recommendations Made for Improving New York City Building Codes for High Rises, a summary by Cheryl Runyon.
• Ecoroofs Sprouting Up Everywhere in Portland
  Portland, Oregon is recognized as the leader in the eco-roof movement by enacting regulations that offer financial incentives to developers who install green roofs. Living roofs can reduce runoff after rainstorms, reduce energy costs and reduce city temperatures during the summer. For more information link to the story, "Ecoroofs sprouting up everywhere in Portland."
• "Providing Safer Buildings Through Modern Building Codes," article from Building Standards, January-February 2001.
• "Often Overlooked, Building Codes Ensure Health and Safety," State Legislatures, June 1999
• "The Model Energy Code for Residential Buildings", State Legislative Report, June 1997

Emergency Management

• FEMA Provides Rent and Mortgage Assistance, October 2001
• "Finding Shelter from the Storm," State Legislatures, July/August 2001
• "Protecting People Against Severe Weather," LegisBrief, Vol. 9, no. 5, January 2001
• "Disaster Response: Protecting that Old Kentucky Home," State Legislatures, May 1999

Environmental Health

• "Mold," LegisBrief, Nov./Dec. 2003 by Jennifer Smith.
• "Toxic Mold Flourishes as Modern Household Affliction," On First Reading, May 2003 State Legislatures. (Cathy Atkins or Jennifer Smith for a copy).
• "Illinois Finds Beautiful Way to Get the Lead Out," State Legislatures, July/August 2001

Outside links

• Millenial Housing Commission
• National Housing Conference
• National Apartment Association
• National Multi Housing Council (NMHC)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Fannie Mae Foundation
• National Association of Home Builders
• Enterprise Foundation
• National Housing and Rehabilitation Association
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service

 Economic Development and Trade

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Featured Links

• HUD publication: Impact Fees & Housing Affordability
• State Manufactured Housing Landlord-Tenant and Sale of Park Statutes
• State Housing Legislation Database 2007
• State Housing Committees
• Homelessness Counts Report
• Earned Income Tax Credits
• Individual Development Accounts and Housing
• Family Economic Success
• Predatory Mortgage Lending
• Predatory Lending, LegisBrief
• Minnesota TA

In The News

• CO House gives initial OK to bill on tenant rights
• States unveil mortgage licensing system
• Calif. leads borrowing cost rise on housing slump
• Prison staff may get homes
• Applicants line up for affordable housing
• State council to tackle homelessness

Other NCSL Housing Related Policies:

• Affordable Housing
• Eminent Domain
• Environmental Health
  
• Doug Farquhar
• Growth Management
• Douglas Shinkle
• The Homeless
• Christine Nelson
• Low Income Energy Assistance
• Kate Marks
• Manufactured Housing
• Knowledgeplex Week in Review