Regulation
Multifamily Dive Trendline on Rent Trends
According to Yardi Matrix's April 8 report, U.S. multifamily advertised rents rose 0.3% month-over-month in March to $1,750, the first monthly gain since last summer. However, year-over-year growth stayed at a weak 0.1%, and occupancy fell 0.4% annually. Supply glut, reduced immigration, and slower job growth continue to weigh on the market.
3 California cities sued over alleged violations of state housing rules
Housing advocacy groups have filed lawsuits against three California cities, accusing them of using local measures to limit the scope of Senate Bill 79 (SB 79). The bill, signed in October 2025 and effective July 1, 2026, aims to promote housing construction near public transit stops. The lawsuits involve San Diego, San Francisco, and Montebello, with plaintiffs including organizations such as Californians for Homeownership, affiliated with the California Association of Realtors.
For local governments, full benefits of ROAD to Housing Act could take years, analysis shows
A new analysis by the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders and the Center for Affordable Housing Lending reveals that the first year of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will be dominated by paperwork, not construction. HUD is responsible for 88 of 124 implementation actions, and many required reports may strain the agency's reduced staff. Local governments are advised to begin early planning to capitalize on future federal funding.
New Jersey Supreme Court Rules: Public Interest in Land Development Cannot Override Local Zoning Regulations
On July 13, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that revised the legal framework for local consideration of land use change applications, explicitly requiring local zoning authorities to first confirm that an application will not substantially impair zoning plan intent before considering the project's public interest. The ruling stems from Montville Township's denial of a 165-unit senior housing development and is regarded by the legal community as the most significant amendment to the existing framework in over three decades.