Build-to-rent now eligible for Federal Housing Administration financing

Under the policy change, BTR projects can qualify for new construction and acquisition or refinancing programs, as HUD pushes to increase housing supply.

By Julie Strupp • Oct. 16, 2026

More diverse housing types could result from new laws in California

From cheaper ADUs to streamlined “missing middle” housing to high-rises in transit-rich cities, the state adopted a slew of housing reforms.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 7, 2026

Bipartisan group wants ‘more pro-housing legislation’: Rep. Harder

California Rep. Josh Harder told Multifamily Dive that the Build America Caucus’ policy package aims to “kickstart the conversation of what comes next after ROAD [to Housing].”

By Julie Strupp • Oct. 6, 2026

Effort to streamline housing environmental review standards, regulations kicks off at HUD, USDA

The agencies signed an MOU to advance deregulatory measures for rural housing outlined in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 5, 2026

RealPage wins pause on New York’s algorithmic rent-setting ban

The federal court agreed to grant a preliminary injunction while it mulls the software maker’s claims that the state’s new law violates the First Amendment.

By Julie Strupp • Oct. 2, 2026

More high-rises could be coming to 7 California cities under housing density bill

The bill would prevent major cities from limiting residential building heights to under 150 feet in new transit hub districts. It's awaiting the governor's signature.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 23, 2026

Trump nominates new HUD assistant secretary

Matt Jones is currently deputy assistant secretary for single-family housing at HUD and has a deep background in mortgage finance.

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 21, 2026

After rent emergency declaration, San Francisco mayor proposes reforms

As an AI boom pushes median rents higher, Mayor Daniel Lurie is proposing $30 million in investments and reforms to curb rising evictions and “sudden rent spikes.”

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 11, 2026

DOJ, Pinnacle reach settlement in RealPage case

All but one defendant has now settled with the Justice Department in its antitrust lawsuit regarding landlords’ use of algorithmic rent-pricing software.

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 10, 2026

Fair housing construction accessibility complaints now have a deadline, HUD says

Accessibility claims related to multifamily building design and construction must be filed within one year of the initial certificate of occupancy, the new guidance says.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 4, 2026

While HUD recently ‘de-authorized’ emotional support animals, housing providers should proceed cautiously

The new guidance may seem like welcome news for landlords, but they should not automatically deny requests involving untrained ESAs, a housing compliance lawyer says.

By John Egan • Aug. 31, 2026

Notable multifamily policy and legal moves from this summer

Apartment permitting, land use, junk fees and heat violations are among the issues state and local officials have tackled recently.

By Julie Strupp • Aug. 27, 2026

Rents are rising faster in Chicago than other US cities. The mayor wants rental reform.

The proposed reforms target “hidden junk fees” and establish an administrative body to handle rental complaints. Industry groups are pushing back.

By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 26, 2026

Zillow, Redfin reach settlement with FTC over rental listing partnership

The companies will continue to partner and Redfin will reenter the online rental housing advertising market, per the agreement.

By Julie Strupp • Aug. 24, 2026

3 California cities sued over alleged violations of state housing rules

Housing advocacy groups say these cities are attempting to limit the impact of a new state law designed to increase housing density near transit.

By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 21, 2026

Extreme indoor heat is a housing violation, Arizona warns landlords

The state’s most recent lawsuit against Tucson landlords reflects a nationwide movement to establish maximum indoor temperatures for rental housing.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Aug. 18, 2026

Seattle bans rental ‘junk fees’

The new transparency ordinance, effective July 2027, eliminates administrative service charges, pet rent and package fees and requires upfront pricing for tenants.

By Julie Strupp • Aug. 13, 2026

US Chamber of Commerce launches housing advisory council

The business group aims to build on 21st Century ROAD to Housing law momentum by advancing market-driven policies to increase supply, according to a senior Chamber official.

By Julie Strupp • Aug. 12, 2026

For local governments, full benefits of ROAD to Housing Act could take years, analysis shows

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act adds to the U.S. Department of Housing and Development's workload — with a significantly reduced staff.

By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 10, 2026

Public benefits of land use don’t outweigh local zoning, New Jersey Supreme Court says

The ruling was hailed by the state’s municipal league as a major win for local authority. 

By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 7, 2026

Single-staircase reforms aim to boost middle-scale housing in Michigan

The reforms will make smaller-scale apartment buildings cheaper and easier to build, officials say.

By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 6, 2026

UDR named in rent-pricing class-action lawsuit in San Diego

A former tenant alleges that the landlord illegally set rental rates and occupancy levels using RealPage’s algorithmic pricing software.

By Julie Strupp • Aug. 5, 2026

NYC DOB wraps first wave of construction safety sweeps after partial collapse in July

After inspecting 180 jobsites, the agency found no immediate public safety concerns, nor evidence that the East 42nd Street failure was “inherent to office-to-residential conversion projects.”

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 5, 2026

Tracking algorithmic rent-pricing lawsuits

Software providers RealPage and Yardi, along with a slew of apartment landlords, have landed in legal hot water in recent years over their tech-enabled rent-setting practices.

Aug. 3, 2026

Seattle pares back environmental review appeals in effort to ramp up housing development

The reform eliminates an administrative step that has held up new zoning and housing planning efforts, advocates say.

By Ryan Kushner • July 31, 2026