Housing

Rich Snyder, who retired as the fire marshal of Sierra Madre, Calif., now works for Allied Disaster Defense, a California company that hardens homes against wildfire. One strategy is covering air vents with ember-blocking mesh.

Preparing homes for wildfires is big business that's only getting started

5:00am September 15, 2023

by Alina Selyukh

Climate change, technological leaps, panicked insurers, the shifting sense of responsibility: All are powering the still-nascent, but fast-growing industry of preparing homes for wildfires.

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Millions of Americans receive little or no information about flood risk before they buy a house or sign a lease, leading families to put their safety, belongings and financial security in harm's way. New rules in four states aim to address the problem.

Residents of four states will get more information about flood risk to their homes

7:41am September 08, 2023

by Rebecca Hersher

Four states are strengthening rules that require home sellers and landlords to disclose information about whether a home has flooded in the past, or is likely to flood in the future.

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A maintenance worker sweeps the street in front of a row of new homes in Fairfax, Va., on Aug. 22. Sales of new homes are taking off as current homeowners are reluctant to sell their houses, because they would face a higher mortgage for their next one.

Economy

These are 5 ways surging mortgage rates are reshaping the housing market

5:00am August 25, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The housing market is showing a split: Sales of existing homes were down last month, but sales of newly built houses were up.

Housing

Winston-Salem City Council approves rezoning of Ardmore house despite neighborhood opposition

12:44pm August 08, 2023

by April Laissle

Winston-Salem City Council voted to allow a house in the city’s Ardmore neighborhood to be converted into a duplex, despite community opposition.

1313 L St. in Washington, D.C., was formerly an office building. By the end of this year, it will be home to newly finished apartments.

Turning unused office space into housing could solve 2 problems, but it's tricky

5:22pm July 24, 2023

by Erin Kenney

Turning barely used office space into desperately needed urban housing seems like a win-win in the work-from-home era. But even in cities eager to do this, plenty of obstacles remain.

Housing

Summerfield debates proposed development, could see de-annexation

4:09pm May 31, 2023

by Bethany Chafin

In a town north of Greensboro, there's a heated debate between those in favor of new development and those who are not.

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Politics & Government

Proposal seeks to add workforce housing in North Carolina

5:06pm March 20, 2023

by Paul Garber

A bill co-sponsored by Forsyth state Senator Paul Lowe is designed to increase the number of affordable homes in North Carolina for essential workers and other first-time h

'Poverty, By America' shows how the rest of us benefit by keeping others poor

9:51am March 17, 2023

by Jennifer Ludden

Pulitzer winner for Evicted Matthew Desmond examines why the U.S. has more poverty than other rich nations. He finds it spends big on social programs, but gives the most to those who need it least.

Dueling signs dot Virginia's Arlington County as residents debate the zoning reform proposal. This photo first appeared in DCist. Click here to read that story.

The U.S. needs more affordable housing – where to put it is a bigger battle

5:00am February 11, 2023

American suburbs mandated single-family homes generations ago, often to segregate areas by race and class. New laws allow more-affordable options like townhomes but construction so far has been slow.

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First graders from The Friends School of Atlanta share their hopes for the world.

We asked for wishes, you answered: Send leaders into space, free electricity, dignity

5:00am February 05, 2023

Send leaders into space for perspective, tap solar power to offer electricity for all, make "dignity" a priority — those are some of the wishes readers have for 2023.