New Updates on The Edge - 02/24/2015

New on The Edge

Message from PD&R Leadership:
Hack Housing: HUD's First Hackathon Helps Develop Housing-Related Apps
"Hackathons" are events during which software developers collaborate intensely over a short period of time, generally to produce usable applications. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring Calvin Johnson's staff reflect on how HUD's first hackathon, "Hack Housing," brought together local affordable housing providers, housing subject-matter experts, and software developers to create innovative, technology-based aids that first-time homebuyers, low-income renters, and senior citizens can use to find a home that meets their needs.

In Practice:
Housing for Low-Income and Homeless in Mesa
In March 2014, the first phase of La Mesita Apartments opened, replacing a distressed homeless shelter. The first phase consists of 80 affordable rental units for low- and very low-income households, including 30 units set aside as permanent housing for the chronically homeless; the second phase, with an additional 16 units, is underway. The apartments are within walking distance of the area's rail line, and the development offers onsite services such as legal aid, case management, and support for domestic violence survivors.

Trending:
Exploring Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Although developers are consistently adding affordable housing units into the market, demand for these units continues to outpace supply. Current financing systems for affordable housing, which rely heavily on subsidies, may create a disincentive for developers to create more market-oriented affordable housing. A recent report published by the McKnight foundation focuses on the feasibility of a "light touch" approach to creating permanently affordable housing with little or no subsidy.

Policy Update:
Protecting Children From Unhealthy Homes and Housing Instability
Children who do not live in safe, quality housing experience high rates of physical, mental, and emotional problems, and low-income and minority children are disproportionately affected by poor-quality housing. Federal programs and local organizations collaborate to address home health hazards and the needs of youth experiencing homelessness.

Spotlight on PD&R Data:
U.S. Housing Market Conditions
PD&R's U.S. Housing Market Conditions (USHMC) website contains national, regional, state, metropolitan, and local data and analysis in one location. Featured USHMC charts highlight changes in the annual FHA mortgage market share, by dollar volume and by loan count, between 2001 and 2013, as well as the quarterly FHA mortgage market share between 2010 and the third quarter of 2014.