The impact of RTC dispositions on local housing and real estate markets

Abstract

This article examines the critical question of whether disposition activity of the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) will disrupt local real estate markets by driving values down and encouraging additional defaults. The question is approached by identifying key characteristics of local economies and real estate markets that could be associated with adverse market responses and then examining 12 individual metropolitan areas in this context. A survey of metropolitan areas with high RTC concentrations finds varying potential for adverse impact. Detailed case studies in three metropolitan areas—Dallas, Denver, and Oklahoma City—find the potential to vary widely by property type, quality level, and geographic location. By and large, commercial markets are expected to be less affected because of (1) the already depressed condition of most markets, (2) market segmentation that would insulate investment grade submarkets, (3) capitalization of expectations about disposition, and (4) political constraints on the rate of RTC activity. However, the geographic concentration of inventory that is combined with potential tipping dynamics associated with neighborhood change could render certain affordable housing markets vulnerable to adverse market responses. Policy recommendations to mitigate such impacts are suggested.     

Foreclosure filings and sheriff's sales experienced by low‐income first‐time home buyers

Abstract

This paper examines the recent history of supply‐side subsidies. The first section describes the programs that have had a major impact on the supply of low‐income housing over the last 20 years. The second section looks in some detail at the recent history of tax subsidies to low‐income housing and attempts to quantify their magnitudes. The third section presents some data on recent syndication deals to shed light on the return rate that seems to have been required in recent years to attract private investors into low‐income housing. The final section turns to the literature on rent‐seeking behavior and proposes a more efficient way to subsidize low‐income housing production.     

试论弱势群体的成因与职工权益保障

“弱势群体”是我国经济体制变革过程中阶段性的产物,造成职工群体中部分体力劳动者弱势的原因,主要是劳动力市场供大于求和经济体制转换过程中由于职工权益保障机制的不完善所造成的落差。强化工会维护职能,完善法制建设,保障职工的各项合法权益,是保护“弱势群体”的关键。     

Preliminary trials of low volume AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus amplification using AmpliGrid (AG480F) slides

Low volume PCR using the AmpliGrid (480F) slide system can potentially enhance the generation of more complete profiles from trace samples, in addition to providing a more cost-effective alternative for typing standard samples. Based on our preliminary results, implementation will require a reasonable investment in optimisation and validation for the intended purpose.     

Crowd Situations and their Policing from the Perspective of Finnish Police Officers—a Case Study of Finnish Police Knowledge

This study explores crowd situations from the perspective of the Finnish police. The qualitative data consist of focused face-to-face interviews with police officers (n = 15). The results of these interviews indicate that special crowd control units have shifted from being an innovation to being an ordinary part of public order policing, despite the infrequent use of these units. Furthermore, police knowledge concurrently involved diversity and polarity. Crowd situations vary from political protests to sporting events and street festivals, and the police play multiple roles and apply diverse measures and tactics depending on the situation. Polarity is linked to the way the police perceive different crowds and crowd events as ‘easy’ and ‘ordinary’ or ‘difficult’ and ‘deviant’. Finally, tension emerges between national and global aspects within police knowledge. This tension is linked to how police perceive crowd events and public order policing in terms of the past, the present, and the future.     

国际公约对我国海洋环境保护法的影响

自我国《海洋环境保护法》实施以来 ,我国相继加入了一些国际公约和议定书 ,我国在国际海洋事务中的权利、义务发生了变化。为了与国际公约相衔接 ,以履行我们的国际承诺 ,保护我国在国际海洋事务中的合法权益 ,我国对该法做了修改。本文旨在从我国参加的国际公约对修订法的影响这个角度 ,来分析修订法中的相关内容     

城市公共场所大型活动拥挤踩踏事故的风险评估与防控——基于事故机理的分析

城市公共场所大型活动拥挤踩踏事故的发生、发展和演化有其规律性。依据风险理论和事故致因理论,从城市公共场所大型活动拥挤踩踏事故的致因机理及人群运动规律和事故发展演变规律方面分析发现,拥挤踩踏事故风险与场所聚集总人数、现场滞留人数、死亡人数及事故触发因子之间存在一定的函数关系,人群聚集是大型活动事故风险产生和发展演变的根源。应预先了解人群结构,严格控制人群流量与密度,及时疏导拥挤人群,提升人群安全能力,从人群管理方面加强对城市公共场所大型活动拥挤踩踏事故风险的防控。     

后京都时代我国清洁发展机制的现状及对策研究

＂后京都时代＂我国CDM市场可谓机遇与挑战并存。主要存在项目类型分布不合理、最终签发成功率低、融资渠道单一、缺乏科学合理的碳贸易体系等问题,因此政府相关部门应推出鼓励政策引导CDM项目协调发展;培育咨询机构、提高项目申报通过率;加快我国＂碳金融＂建设与改革,为CDM项目提供更多融资渠道选择;构建科学合理的碳贸易体系,以促进我国节能减排工作和CDM市场科学、健康、持续发展。     

Comment on James E. Rosenbaum,Linda K. Stroh,and Cathy A. Flynn's “Lake Parc Place: A study of mixed‐income housing”

Abstract

Rosenbaum, Stroh, and Flynn confirm existing community leader perceptions that this model mixed‐income development in the predominantly low‐income South Side of Chicago has produced a positive residential environment. Increased tenant voice, not role modeling, seems to be a factor in producing increased resident satisfaction with the building and a strong sense of commitment to the mixed‐income alternative to exclusively low‐income housing projects. The extra resources invested in physical improvements and the extraordinary media attention paid to this model project may have created a “Hawthorne effect,” which also produced higher levels of satisfaction. The existence of this successful model is not sufficient to provide more housing alternatives; community‐based advocacy for more mixed‐income developments is needed.     

Expanding housing choices for the sector popular: Strategies for Mexico

Abstract

By the year 2000, some 40 million people in Mexico will live in settlements commonly called the informal sector. Most will live in houses that they have constructed themselves and that have some infrastructure deficit. To meet their needs, the authors propose a set of demand and supply strategies. Emphasis is placed on the increased use of small group savings programs, the provision of progressive infrastructure, and the creation of housing‐related employment. The supply of low‐cost land must be increased, which will necessitate reforms in the ejido land tenure system. Examples of locally derived, non‐government‐supported betterment programs are presented.

The article concludes by calling on the federal government to create stronger links with the informal sector and to reestablish its role as the supporter of social housing in Mexico.