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Federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could cause some DC-area families to lose an average of $187 in monthly benefits.
Why Do Closing Costs Differ between States? Different regulations and state rules regarding closing costs can help states generate tax income but can create higher barriers to homebuying for residents with low incomes.What Components Make Up Closing Costs? For prospective homebuyers with low incomes, closing costs can often pose a high relative burden and create another obstacle to homeownership.Reinstating Limitations on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Mortgage Lending Would Hamper Access to Credit The previous Trump administration introduced limitations on federal mortgage lending to “high-risk” loans, but current housing market conditions mean these restrictions would be counterproductive if reinstated.Prosecuting Young People as Adults Can Undermine Rehabilitation and Fuel Mass Incarceration This year, Louisiana became one of only five states to prosecute all 17-year-olds as adults. Evidence shows this doesn’t effectively prevent crime— but it does undermine rehabilitation efforts.10 Blog Posts That Elevated the Debate in 2024 In 2024, Urban researchers equipped changemakers with rapid analysis and uplifted solutions to help prevent families from taking on debt to pay for groceries, improve disaster recovery, conquer the digital divide, and more.In Chicago, New Apartment Buildings Typically Require City Council Approval, Which May Delay Construction and Increase Costs For developers in Chicago, building new multifamily apartment buildings can require months of planning, review, and feedback before ever breaking ground because of discretionary zoning review.
