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Sacramento outperforms other major cities in affordable housing production but misses state quota

Ken Magri

May 23, 2023 |

Sacramento News & Review |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Sacramento, California, is increasing the number of affordable housing units built in the city by implementing deed restrictions that limit prices and require occupancy by low-income residents, providing free permit-ready building plans for accessory dwelling units, and prioritizing quick approvals by the city government.

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Stilt Houses: How an Ancient Architectural Design Could Become a Climate Solution

Ethan Brown

May 05, 2023 |

The Sweaty Penguin |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Florida

When designed well, houses built on elevated platforms supported by stilts can help coastal communities adapt to climate change by reducing flood risk.

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Harlem Organization Helped Change the Face of Construction

Damaso Reyes

April 27, 2023 |

New York Amsterdam News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Harlem, New York

Fight Back, Inc. is a local community-based organization that worked to get construction jobs for Blacks, Spanish-surnamed, and other minorities in New York City over the years. The organization has been very effective in integrating the skilled and construction trades and ensuring workers of color have equal opportunity and has been replicated in other cities like Seattle and Detroit.

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Cities reviving downtowns by converting offices to housing

Mae Anderson Ashraf Khalil Michael Casey

April 24, 2023 |

The Philadelphia Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Manhattan, New York

Across the country, cities are pursuing office-to-housing conversions after the pandemic decimated downtown business districts. A percentage of these new apartments are required to be offered at affordable, below-market rates and some cities are also offering tax breaks for developers to incentivize these conversions.

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The world sees invasive seaweed. This gardener sees housing bricks.

Whitney Eulich

April 19, 2023 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Puerto Morelos

A small business in Puerto Morelos uses invasive seaweed that washes up on Mexico’s beaches to create construction blocks. The company, Sargassum, mixes the seaweed with organic materials, presses the mixture into block shapes, and lets them bake in the sun to harden. The owner sells some of the blocks and uses some to build affordable housing in his community.

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Solar shingles top Virginia home

Elizabeth McGowan

April 10, 2023 |

Energy News Network |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Reston, Virginia

The Timberline Solar Energy Shingle roof is made up of solar-power integrated, nailable shingles that allow homeowners to keep the look of traditional roofing shingles while reaping the benefits of solar energy. This prevents aesthetic-related issues with homeowner associations and installation bottlenecks that complicate the process of installing solar panels.

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Can plastic bricks pave a road out of Kenya's plastic waste problem?

Kimani Chege

March 10, 2023 |

Unbias The News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Nairobi

The Kenyan start-up Gjenge Makers creates pavers that are stronger and cheaper than typical concrete by heating a mixture of shredded plastic waste and sand and then compressing it to form the blocks.

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How to build homes that can fight climate change — and survive its effects

Claire Elise Thompson Gabriela Aoun Angueira

March 07, 2023 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Puerto Rico

After Hurricane Maria, shipping container houses gained popularity in Puerto Rico because of their affordability and faster build times.

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Prince George's County Almost Tore Down a Playground to Put Up a Gas Station

Kayla Benjamin

February 15, 2023 |

The Washington Informer |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Prince George County, Maryland

When plans for a new gas station were announced, community members from the Carole Highlands neighborhood organized 11 citizens living near the proposed spot for the project to make their case for why the company should withdraw their plans – and in the end, they did.

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Lessons from Christchurch earthquake recovery for flooded upper North

Kathryn Ryan

February 10, 2023 |

RNZ |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: New Zealand, Christchurch

The successful earthquake rebuild model in Christchurch, New Zealand, was a 60-40 cost-sharing agreement between the central government and local governments designed to be centralized and collaborative with contractors doing the rebuilding. This design could be a model for future disaster reconstruction across the country.

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