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HUD homelessness tool kit downplays housing-first models, emphasizes addiction treatment
This month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), together with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services, released a 'Treatment First' toolkit for local leaders. The toolkit aims to push communities away from the long-standing 'Housing First' strategy and toward intervention paths oriented around addiction treatment and long-term abstinence. HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated in an August 12 press release that while housing is essential, housing alone is not sufficient. The toolkit proposes a five-phase outcome measurement framework and encourages localities to adopt mandatory measures such as drug-free living spaces. The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund criticized the toolkit as a blueprint for 'compliance in exchange for shelter.'
Air taxi vertiport coming to downtown LA sports complex
Archer Aviation and AEG announced on Monday that they will develop a vertiport at the L.A. Live sports and entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles. The project is part of Archer's efforts to build an air taxi network in Los Angeles, following previous partnerships with the University of Southern California, SoFi Stadium, and Hollywood Burbank Airport. Initial feasibility studies have been completed, covering land use, airspace, power, and community impact assessments.
NLC program offers AI to assist local governments with cybersecurity efforts
Facing the dual pressures of a surge in municipal cyberattacks and federal funding cuts, the National League of Cities (NLC) announced a partnership with CyberAlliance to launch the National Municipal Cyber Resilience Program, offering local governments tools such as risk assessments, the AI-driven threat intelligence platform Sally AI, and benchmarking to help build long-term defense capabilities.
Las Vegas debuts bus rapid transit line to grow ridership, improve service
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) officially opened a bus rapid transit (BRT) line in Las Vegas on August 23, using 60-foot zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses. The route runs through downtown, medical districts, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Harry Reid International Airport, covering 7.3 miles with dedicated bus and bike lanes, widened sidewalks, and passenger amenities. The project, with a total investment of $378 million, is expected to reduce bus travel times by approximately 20% and aims to achieve daily ridership of 13,000 passengers by 2040.
125-mph passenger trains could connect San Antonio and Austin, Texas, in about an hour: HNTB study
According to a feasibility study commissioned by Travis County and completed by HNTB, released Thursday, building a new dedicated passenger rail line between Austin and San Antonio is expected to cost $13.5 billion. If the line uses 125 mph commuter trains similar to those on Florida's Brightline rail, the full travel time would be about 55 to 65 minutes.
As states move to cut property taxes, cities brace for fallout
A wave of state-led property tax cuts is heading to voters in November, prompting city officials to prepare for revenue losses. In Florida, Lauderhill could lose $8-10 million annually; in Oklahoma, Moore faces potential elimination of property taxes on homesteads; in Iowa, new limits on revenue growth threaten Altoona's expansion plans. Experts note property taxes fund 70% of local tax revenue, and cities warn of service cuts or fee increases.
US Chamber Housing Council Targets Supply, Affordability Hurdles
Following the enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce established a Housing Advisory Council to turn federal reforms into action. The council will focus on zoning modernization, capital mobilization, and workforce development, drawing on input from industry leaders including JPMorganChase, Citi, UMH Properties, and James Hardie.
Archer Aviation to Acquire Boeing's eVTOL Unit Wisk Aero in Stock-for-Stake Deal
Archer Aviation has agreed to acquire Boeing's eVTOL subsidiary Wisk Aero, along with drone maker Insitu and air traffic software firm Skygrid, in exchange for a minority stake in Archer. Boeing will receive 19.75% of Class A shares and may invest up to $55 million in Archer's next funding round before March 31, 2027. The transaction, expected to close by end of 2026, marks a strategic shift for Boeing to focus on core commercial, defense, and global services operations.
2026 Smart Cities Dive Public Service Awards nominations now open
Smart Cities Dive announces the opening of nominations for the 2026 Public Service Awards, honoring outstanding individuals driving local impact. Nominations are free, with a deadline of March 31, 2026. The awards continue the "American Cities & Counties Outstanding Public Service Awards" following the merger of AC&C with Smart Cities Dive, and also preview the Community Projects Awards opening in June.
Surface transportation bill will shape the U.S. transportation outlook
With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expiring on September 30, the U.S. Congress is beginning work on the next multi-year surface transportation authorization bill. Amid political polarization, whether bipartisan consensus can be reached and signed by the president remains uncertain. This article, through interviews with lawmakers, state officials, and transportation experts, outlines possible directions for the new bill, covering core issues such as funding priorities, financing sources, grant allocation methods, and the legislative timeline.