Local councils in New Zealand are facing a significant fiscal mismatch where the immediate costs of population growth fall on ratepayers, whereas the financial benefits flow to central government in Wellington. Upgrading trunk infrastructure—including arterial pipes, roads, and sewage capacity—requires immediate funding. However, the rates payments from new housing arrive slowly, leaving a gap in … Read more
The Paradox of Low-Deposit Schemes: Helping Buyers or Hiking Prices? For many aspiring homeowners, the dream of owning a home often hits a wall: the deposit. Government initiatives, such as the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly known as the Home Guarantee Scheme), aim to dismantle this barrier by allowing eligible buyers to enter the … Read more
Breaking the Housing Deadlock: Why Supply is Only Half the Battle Australia’s housing affordability crisis has reached a tipping point where it can no longer be ignored. While the federal government has set an ambitious target of 1.2 million fresh homes, evidence suggests this goal is unlikely to be met. The challenge isn’t just about … Read more
The Senate’s Housing Gamble: Will the ROAD Act Pave the Way to More Homes or Fewer? Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with a striking 89 to 10 vote. The bill, spearheaded by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), takes aim at the single-family rental industry, arguing it exacerbates … Read more
Over a half-melted peanut-butter açai bowl in the Bronx’s Pelham Bay neighborhood, Kenny Burgos, CEO of the Modern York Apartment Association, argues that rents for nearly a million New York apartments need to increase. Burgos states that “The Bronx, to this day, has buildings that are almost 100 percent — if not 100 percent — … Read more
The Growing Pains of Independent Living: Supporting Young Adults Transitioning from Care For young adults who age out of institutional care, the simple act of managing finances and housing can be profoundly empowering. Having limited control over life choices earlier on makes these decisions feel particularly significant. However, this newfound independence often comes with a … Read more
This story was made possible through support from TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, which enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at tedcomd.com. Money Moves is a recurring series where we chart the raises, grants, … Read more
Malaysia’s Housing Affordability Crisis: What Does the Future Hold? The dream of homeownership is slipping away for many Malaysians. Recent discussions in Parliament, with Senator Michael Mujah Lihan highlighting soaring property prices and MP Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib questioning government action, underscore a growing national concern. While construction costs and property values climb, wage growth … Read more
AI Interior Design: The Rise of the Virtual Decorator and What It Means for Homeowners A recent viral post on Threads is sparking a wider conversation about the capabilities – and limitations – of artificial intelligence in creative fields. A homeowner, Sean-Michael Ryan (@goldn_charmr), shared his experience using ChatGPT to redesign his living room, and … Read more
The Mountain Town Housing Revolution: Can Breckenridge’s Model Be Replicated? Breckenridge, Colorado, is becoming a case study in how to tackle the increasingly dire housing crisis facing mountain towns across the American West. With nearly 75% of its full-time residences now reserved for local workers, the town is demonstrating a commitment to preserving community in … Read more