A homelessness prevention program that began in Santa Clara County is expanding nationwide with a goal of helping more than 10,000 families avoid eviction and remain stably housed. Nonprofit Destination: Home announced it is partnering with 10 organizations across the United States to replicate a rental assistance and case management model focused on preventing housing instability before it leads to homelessness. The expansion spans large and small cities, rural regions and tribal communities, including sites in Minnesota, Alaska, Atlanta, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina. Through the Right at Home initiative, Destination: Home will work with local partners to implement pilot programs based on its established homelessness prevention framework. The initiative is designed to demonstrate that eviction prevention and supportive services can be effectively scaled and adopted as part of broader housing policy. Destination: Home first launched its homelessness prevention program in 2017 after observing an increase in residents falling into homelessness in Santa Clara County. Backed by private funding, the nonprofit provided rental assistance, case management and supportive services to families at immediate risk of eviction. The approach aimed to stabilize households facing temporary financial crises, helping them maintain housing while addressing underlying challenges. In 2024, Santa Clara County formally incorporated the program into its countywide homelessness strategy and expanded it across the region. Since its launch, nearly 44,000 people in the county have avoided homelessness through the initiative, according to program data. A randomized control trial conducted by the University of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities found that 90 percent of participants who received assistance remained housed two years later, highlighting the long-term impact of early intervention. The national expansion has raised $77 million to date. Under the plan, each participating community will receive at least $5 million over five years, with a target of serving approximately 1,500 households per location. The Lab for Economic Opportunities will collect and analyze data to measure outcomes such as housing stability and economic resilience. Funding partners include Cisco, Sobrato Philanthropies, the Valhalla Foundation and The Audacious Project. Researchers involved in the evaluation say prevention plays a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis and rising poverty. Eviction can trigger a chain of negative consequences, including job loss, financial hardship and increased reliance on emergency services. By providing eviction relief and community support before families lose their homes, the program seeks to reduce long-term social and economic costs. For some residents, the program has provided essential support during periods of instability. Desiré Campusano received rental assistance multiple times while navigating job transitions and significant rent increases. The assistance helped her remain housed and later move into an affordable apartment, with continued guidance from a case manager. Advocates argue that as unemployment and economic pressures affect households nationwide, homelessness prevention must be prioritized alongside emergency response systems. Supporters of the initiative say investing in rental assistance and case management before a crisis escalates offers a more stable and cost-effective solution to housing insecurity. By expanding its model nationally, Destination: Home aims to build momentum for broader federal funding dedicated to preventing homelessness before it begins.

A proposal to create a new income tax bracket for Virginia’s highest earners is advancing through the General Assembly, with supporters arguing that the measure could generate significant new revenue for public schools, child care programs and affordable housing initiatives across the state. House Bill 188, introduced by Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, who represents Virginia Beach’s 96th House District, would establish a higher tax rate beginning in the 2026 tax year. Under the proposal, individuals earning more than $1 million annually would pay a 10 percent tax on income exceeding that threshold. Lawmakers backing the bill say the change would modernize Virginia’s tax structure and target additional contributions from the state’s wealthiest residents. Currently, Virginia uses a relatively flat income tax system in which all income above $17,000 is taxed at a rate of 5.75 percent. Advocates for the legislation contend that the structure places a proportionally heavier burden on middle-income families while allowing top earners to pay the same marginal rate. By creating a new bracket, they argue, the state can make its tax policy more progressive while securing funds for critical public needs. The bill specifies how revenue from the higher tax rate would be distributed. Half of the additional funds would go toward increased basic aid for public schools, a move intended to help districts address teacher shortages, classroom resources and rising operational costs. Thirty percent of the new revenue would be directed to the Child Care Subsidy Program, which assists working families with the cost of care and aims to expand access for low- and moderate-income households. The remaining 20 percent would be allocated to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing development and homelessness prevention efforts. Supporters say the targeted investments could strengthen education, improve workforce participation and address housing shortages that have affected communities statewide. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential impacts on business competitiveness and the possibility that higher-income residents could relocate, affecting overall tax collections. Those debates are expected to continue as the measure moves through committee review. In addition to the new tax bracket, HB 188 includes several technical amendments intended to align existing statutes with the proposed changes. The bill remains under consideration in committee, where lawmakers will determine whether it advances to a full vote in the House and Senate. If approved, the policy would mark one of the most significant adjustments to Virginia’s income tax system in decades and could reshape how the state funds key services tied to education, child care and housing.

India’s housing finance sector is witnessing a strategic shift as lenders begin treating defence personnel as a separate borrower category rather than grouping them under standard salaried profiles. With urban housing demand cooling and competition intensifying in metro markets, lenders are increasingly turning to defence families as stable, long-term borrowers who require customised solutions rather than generic home loan products. This change in approach has been highlighted by

AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities are investigating a large overnight fire that erupted at an affordable housing development under construction in Southeast Austin, causing widespread damage and prompting concern among nearby residents. The Austin Fire Department reported that the intensity of the flames forced crews to take a defensive approach, battling the blaze from the outside due to rapidly growing heat and structural instability. The incident occurred at a building site along Sou

Dublin, California — The City of Dublin is inviting residents to attend two public Zoom meetings to learn more about the proposed Sunflower Hill at Grace Pointe, a 60-unit affordable housing project designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The development, a partnership between Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), aims to provide long-term independent living opportunities while enhancing accessibility and inclusion in the Tri-Valley

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — The race to become Jersey City’s next mayor is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, featuring a diverse lineup of seven candidates, including former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Each contender is offering distinct visions for the city’s future, with housing affordability, development, and integrity in governance emerging as central themes in the campaign. McGreevey, once a prominent figure in state politics, is attempt

A property collective known as Petra, which manages three apartment complexes in Washington, D.C., has been ordered to pay $700,000 after being found liable in a housing discrimination lawsuit. The legal action accused Petra of intentionally discriminating against lower-income residents in order to boost profits, violating several District housing laws. The outcome represents a significant step in the city’s continuing efforts to ensure equal access to affordable housing and to hold landlords

A plan to build one of Cupertino’s first 100 percent affordable housing projects, designed to support some of the community’s most vulnerable residents, has stirred opposition from neighbors concerned about safety and parking. The proposed project, located along Mary Avenue, aims to create 40 affordable homes on a 0.79-acre site. Out of these, 19 homes would be reserved for adults and families with children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, while 20 u

Santa Clara County is taking an innovative step to reduce food waste and at the same time support residents struggling with food insecurity. The county has rolled out a food recovery program that directly places commercial refrigerators stocked with fresh produce and ready-to-eat meals inside affordable housing developments. Residents can now access nutritious food right where they live without needing to travel long distances or rely on irregular food distribution events. The initi

A major housing development in Sunnyvale is one step closer to transforming a familiar corner of El Camino Real. The city’s planning commission voted unanimously to allow De Anza Properties and landowners to adjust their approved 111 home project, shifting the mix from apartments to a combination of owned condominiums and rental units. The project, located at 1104 and 1124 West El Camino Real, will bring significant residential and commercial space to a site that has been home to car sa

As the nation continues to grapple with cuts to social safety nets, a new provision in the congressional budget bill has provided a significant boost to affordable housing efforts. The recently passed H.R. 1 includes an increase in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, which has long served as the primary federal tool for financing affordable housing projects. Starting next year, states will be able to permanently expand their tax credit allocations by 12 percent, giving developers new o

Portland leaders are heading overseas in hopes of finding solutions to the city’s growing housing affordability crisis. This week, around 20 people including three city councilors, their chiefs of staff, and members of the Portland Housing Bureau will travel to Vienna, Austria, to study the city’s internationally recognized social housing model. The trip is taxpayer funded and has already generated debate among residents and officials about its cost and purpose. Social h

A new ranking of the most livable small cities in the United States has placed the Midwest at the center of attention, with a strong majority of the top cities located in the region. The list, which evaluated more than 270 cities with populations between 65,000 and 100,000, highlights how the heartland of America continues to stand out for its affordability, accessibility, and quality of life. According to the study, 12 of the top 15 cities on the list were in t

In Linden, New Jersey, concerns are mounting over the condition and management of the Edward J. Murawski Towers, an 11-story senior housing complex on Dill Avenue that has stood since the 1970s. The building, which contains 150 units, is meant to provide safe and affordable housing for seniors, yet many of those apartments are sitting empty, some for years. City officials say at least 62 units are currently uninhabitable but could be repaired immediately if a

In a major move aimed at alleviating housing challenges faced by students, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District has officially taken ownership of McClellan Terrace Apartments in Cupertino. The $65.6 million acquisition was finalized on July 31 in a strategic attempt to convert the existing 94-unit apartment complex into roughly 332 affordable student beds. While the project is touted as a game-changer for student housing access, it comes at a cost: dozens of current residents will

Rising housing costs in the West Valley are pushing young civic leaders out of their communities and local government roles. This growing issue adds another layer to the region’s escalating housing crisis and is quietly reshaping the face of public service. One such example is Yuyi He, who dedicated her evenings to serving on a housing commission after her day job in the tech sector. She worked to represent renters and young residents in housing policy decisions, including a

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has positioned himself as a rising political figure, drawing attention beyond city limits with a mix of controversial proposals and bold policies. However, the future of his career depends heavily on the state of San Jose at the end of his term and whether his ambitious promises translate into tangible results. His leadership has been marked by efforts to address homelessness, improve public safety, and stimulate economic growth, yet these policies have sparked both

In a significant move to combat homelessness in the Austin area, Travis County Commissioners Court has unanimously approved an $11.5 million contract to help fund a new affordable housing project. The contract, awarded to the Austin Area Urban League, supports the nonprofit’s Urban Empowerment Zone I, a supportive housing development that will bring 80 new affordable units for adults along with vital on-site services.

  Santa Clara County is grappling with a severe housing shortage as the number of homeless individuals continues to rise faster than the construction of new shelters and affordable homes. Recent data reveals that there are 10,711 homeless people in the county but only 3,454 beds across 38 temporary shelters and programs. This means that for every three unhoused individuals, only one bed is available, underscoring the urgent need for expanded housing solutions. The c

In a decisive move to expand its housing stock and reshape its urban landscape, Palo Alto has approved a 368-unit apartment complex on El Camino Real, at the former location of a long-time restaurant. This development is one of the city’s most significant recent housing projects and reflects a shifting approach toward accommodating higher-density residential buildings along major corridors. The project, located at 3150 El Camino Real and led by Acclaim Companies, symbolizes