News
Where Have All the Houses Gone?
New York Times · 26 February 2021
The inventory of homes for sale is startlingly low. The pandemic is part of the reason, but it’s not the whole story.
A Push for Zoning Reform in Connecticut
New York Times · 26 February 2021
Momentum is growing for multifamily housing to be built in a state full of detached single-family houses.
Housing Parents in a Pandemic: How About the Backyard?
New York Times · 5 February 2021
While not currently allowed in Edina, this article about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) describes a growing trend. The article says, “In recent years…urban planners and policy wonks have hailed [ADUs] as a major solution to growing housing shortages for the country’s ballooning senior population. The option is especially attractive in denser areas where homes are typically expensive and unfit for people who might someday struggle with stairs and slippery bathtubs.”
Pandemic’s Toll on Housing: Falling Behind, Doubling Up
New York Times · 6 February 2021
A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia showed that tenants who lost jobs in the pandemic had amassed billions of debt in rental arrears. They are doubling up with other families and having difficulty putting food on the table.
Duluth invests in tiny homes
Star Tribune eEdition · 30 January 2021
Developers are planning more than a dozen tiny homes in Duluth, including an eight-unit park that is among the first and largest such developments in the state.
Affordable housing complex going up on former studio site
Star Tribune eEdition · 19 january 2021
Aeon will build a 70-unit affordable housing building in the Southdale area, at 76th and France.
The Life in “The Simpsons” Is No Longer Attainable
The Atlantic · 29 December 2020
One of TV’s most popular fictional families had stable housing and a middle class existence on the salary of one person without a college degree. In the 32 years since The Simpsons first aired, the purchasing power of the median paycheck has gone down dramatically.
Struggling renters face avalanche of evictions without federal aid
Washington Post · 25 December 2020
Congress and President Trump have yet to approve emergency aid for renters or extend an eviction moratorium beyond Dec. 31, when it is set to expire.
What’s Between 30 Million Americans and an Eviction Tsunami?
New York Times · 2 December 2020
After December 31, millions of Americans are at risk of losing their homes as the federal eviction moratorium expires.
Climate crisis to triple flooding threat for low-income US homes by 2050
The Guardian · 1 December 2020
Affordable housing in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and California is at risk of flooding from storms or high tides pushed by rising sea levels.
Malcolm Yards set to move forward following county funding
Minnesota Daily · 1 December 2020
Hennepin County has approved a $250,000 grant for 142 units of affordable housing at Malcolm Yards in Prospect Park, Minneapolis.
Residents Feared Low-Income Housing Would Ruin Their Suburb. It Didn’t.
New York Times · 5 November 2020
“The reality in New Berlin is that the mixed-income development, surrounded by a pond, a farmers’ market and a library, is “really rather attractive,” said Mayor Dave Ament, who is white and staunchly opposed the project as an alderman a decade ago.”
ENAH City Council Candidates Forum – October 5, 2020 – part 2 ADDENDUM
· 20 October 2020
These closing comments by candidate Rhonda Bland were inadvertently left out of Video part 2.
ENAH City Council Candidates Forum – October 5, 2020 – Video part 1
· 5 October 2020
Click on “read article” to view the first part of the video of the forum; candidates James Pierce, Josh Ahlberg, Ukasha Dakane, Carolyn Jackson, and most of the time with Janet Kitui.
ENAH City Council Candidates Forum – October 5, 2020 – Video part 2
· 5 October 2020
Click on “read article” to view the second part of the video of the forum: end of Q&A with Janet Kitui, followed by Rhonda Bland.
Tips
Washington Post
DoubleTree’s chocolate chip cookie recipe almost tastes like a vacation
There are many fans of these cookies, and DoubleTree just released the recipe.
https://www.erinbromage.com (blog)
The Risks – Know Them – Avoid Them
In order to get infected you need to get exposed to an infectious dose of the virus; based on infectious dose studies with other coronaviruses, it appears that only small doses may be needed for infection to take hold.
New York Times
Older and Stuck at Home? Expert Advice on Fitness
Experts who study exercise and aging offer tips for older adults during the coronavirus lockdown.
Tipnuts
50+ Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make: Free Patterns
Get the family involved in cutting down on the use of plastic.
Family Education
Top 10 Rainy Day Activities for Kids
Indoor activities for families with young children
Little Free Library
Create a Little Free Library
Lots of ideas for how to build, install, stock and promote a little free library. A great family project!