housing market

More people signed on to run Airbnbs, VRBOs and other short-term home rentals in anticipation of an influx of visitors. With more places in the market, occupancy rates actually went down — but prices went up.

Of the 12 states counted as the Midwest by the U.S. Census Bureau, eight are seeing modest growth from domestic migration. Four are seeing a decline in the number of people moving in from other parts of the country.

Financing affordable housing is difficult, but a new Kansas City Regional Housing Fund backed by local foundations hopes to create or preserve thousands of homes across the nine-county area. A similar fund in Cleveland offers an early look at what to expect.

Permits in the Kansas City metro area rose 5.7% in May, and they're up nearly 67% compared to a year before. The increase comes after Kansas City eased some of its energy efficiency requirements that developers say raised building costs.

Missouri and Kansas laborers unions float a potential affordable housing solution — investing pension money in projects that would also provide paid workforce training — that’s been done in other cities.

An anonymous donor provided the initial funding for Pope Leo Village, in honor of the first American Pope. It will be comprised of eight renovated homes in northeast Wichita.

Fran Sutton is reshaping Wyandotte County’s housing landscape by turning vacant lots — purchased from the land bank — into affordable homes that cater to a variety of needs.

For five years, Kansas City has required developers to set aside affordable housing units if they get a tax break — but Port KC undermined that rule by offering its own incentives. Under a proposal by Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City Council is considering slashing the fee by 95%.

One Kansas bill earned bipartisan support for encouraging easier processes for building “middle housing." But another would ban cities and towns from passing laws that require landlords to accept federal housing vouchers.

Kansas City Council voted to relax some controversial portions of its building code that builders said made it harder to build affordable housing — or anything. Over the past few years, the city has seen a drop in new home construction compared to surrounding cities and suburbs, but the standards aren't the only reason.

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is building entire neighborhoods of affordable housing in Kansas. The nonprofit is using a real estate tool known as a community land trust to ensure the homes remain affordable forever. Plus: The USDA's "Climate Hubs" have helped farmers adapt to a changing climate, but their funding may be in jeopardy.

Kansas City is seeing an influx of short-term rental applications from residents interested in hosting their property during the FIFA World Cup. The city opened up special permitting in December that allows people to host short-term rentals from May 3 to July 31.