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The New Mall Tenant Is Your Office

Tom Acitelli

April 30, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

To bridge the gap between the growing demand for co-working office spaces and the downfall of retail malls, developers across the nation convert abandoned storefronts into public work space for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and start ups. Malls serve as central city locations close to public transportation -- features that are in high demand for office space developers.

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Rent Law Offers Reprieve to Some of Los Angeles' Most Vulnerable Families

Jessica Goodheart

April 29, 2019 |

Capital & Main |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles County, California

The temporary passage of a new ordinance has capped rent increases to three percent and allowed some families in Los Angeles County to successfully push back on no-cause, or unjustified evictions. The ordinance provides just-cause protection which requires a landlord to prove a tenant either damaged the property or did not pay their rent on time. The just-cause protection allows families some reprieve from evictions, without which many would be homeless. Tenant advocates are pushing to make the legislation permanent.

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Fort Wayne Makes Its Own Luck

James Fallows

April 26, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne, Indiana follows the national trend that transforms old abandoned buildings into new economic powerhouses by converting what was once the massive GE campus into a mixed space of residential, business and retail space. While some cities tore down older structures in the '70s and '80s, cities who kept their open-space warehouses -- cities like Fort Wayne -- are now taking advantage of the empty spaces and making room for economic growth and civic participation.

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Marijuana tax money targeted for Colorado's full-day kindergarten rollout

Jon Murray

April 23, 2019 |

The Denver Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Colorado may tap into an unlikely funding pool to finance the state's expansion of full-day kindergarten - marijuana taxes could help to pay for new furniture and other infrastructure needs in some of the state's most rural and resource-deprived schools.

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Can Community Investment Trusts Help Slow Down Gentrification?

Brendan Seibel

April 15, 2019 |

Pacific Standard |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

In East Portland, Oregon, a new Community Investment Trust is working to ensure that low-income residents have the opportunity to build equity by investing in their real estate. The program is limited to four zip codes with a maximum contribution of $100 to ensure that the investments stay open only to the members of the community it's intended to serve. More than 95% of investors have kept their money in the trust, but the model might be difficult to scale nationally without effective partnerships.

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‘My Girls Are Getting a Future Here'

Vidhi Doshi

March 26, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

In India, the construction industry is the second largest employer. Without the ability to pay for child care, mothers are often forced to bring young children to construction sites. Mobile Crèches has started to set up child care facilities on-site, providing relief to parents and a safe education for students.

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Pittsburgh's ‘living building' focuses on eco-friendly construction

Karen Hao

March 20, 2019 |

Quartz |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Creating sustainable buildings requires rethinking many of the norms in construction and city planning. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes, part of the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received the first Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification. To achieve this, CSL advocated for changes to Pittsburgh’s laws on the use of public water utilities. CSL also had to seek out construction materials that avoided the use of harmful chemicals-a task easier said than done.

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What if the future of housing means accepting that a home isn't permanent?

Rosie Spinks

February 27, 2019 |

Quartz |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

Modified shipping containers can offer a solution for housing shortages. In London, QED Properties and ISO Spaces partnered together to create The Hope Gardens, a temporary housing arrangement for Londoners facing homelessness. The units provide space for those awaiting permanent housing. The modular homes are easily constructed and help to keep people off of the streets.

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Where Glaciers Melt Away, Switzerland Sees Opportunity

Henry Fountain Ben C. Solomon

February 14, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Photojournalism |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Switzerland, Gadmen

Melting glaciers threaten the Swiss Alps, especially the hydropower it provides. The idea of building a dam as a back-up way to generate power is catching on. The permitting process just began, but construction will need to be fast before further dramatic melting occurs.

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Taxing empty apartments could ease the housing crisis

Adele Peters

February 12, 2019 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Cities with large numbers of empty apartments look to Vancouver's apartment tax, which taxes owners for unused apartment space. After the tax was put in place, the number of unoccupied apartments in Vancouver went down, and the city raised $38 million in tax revenue - most of which will go to affordable housing programs.

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