Ryan Sherriff's Page

On Tuesday, October 26, the Cornerstone Partnership held a webinar highlighting an Urban Institute study evaluating homeownership programs with long-term affordabilitycontrols.  Click here to access the webinar recording and learn how seven programs across the country providebenefits to their communities by preserving the affordability of theirhomes.The webinar includes presentations by:Rick Jacobus, Cornerstone PartnershipKen Temkin, Temkin AssociatesBrett…See More

In 2008, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) created a state-of-the-art research center to test different home construction techniques under different extreme weather conditions. The research center includes 105 high-powered fans to simulate the winds of multiple types of storms, such as severe thunderstorms and hurricanes.This past Tuesday, IBHS conducted a test on two houses (which was…See More

It’s clear to many how beneficial community land trusts can be in high-cost markets or areas with rapidly escalating home prices. However, many people don’t see the need for CLTs in lower cost markets, particularly those that are blighted and in disrepair. An article in Shelterforce provides an example of how this long-term affordable homeownership tool can be highly effective in stabilizing and revitalizing…See More

On May 7, Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts introduced legislation that aims to assure continuity and stability in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the nation’s housing markets. This bill, the Stable Flood Insurance Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 5225), also focuses on the comprehensive reform and long-term reauthorization of the NFIP.This bill complements legislation introduced by Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California that the House…See More

FEMA updates floodplain designations periodically for communities in theNational Flood Insurance Program. Although these maps are accurate atthe time they are updated, it may be several years between theseupdates. In that time, new development in and around floodplains canalter the areas at risk of flooding through the creation of moreimpervious surface. Therefore, existing or new homes built near thefloodplain boundaries may actually be at greater risk of flooding thanis assessed in the most…See More

Does anyone know of any states or localities that have issued general obligation bonds to enhance their ability to acquire and rehab residential REO properties?

A new article in the Boston Federal Reserve Bank's Communities & Banking magazine highlights how the stewardship component of many shared equity homeownership programs help to create more stable affordable housing opportunities throughout the complete housing market cycle. In addition to maintaining affordability at the top of the market cycle, these programs also help to prevent…See More

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune highlights the success of the Highland Park Community Land Trust in the metro Chicago area. At the same time, however, it notes some of the challenges that many CLTs face today, including:- In some communities particularly hard-hit by foreclosures, the price of market-rate foreclosed homes has declined to a point where…See More