Issues and Trends
The Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health is poised to host the inaugural event of the 2025 Planetary Health Cities Symposium in Washington, D.C., on June 16. This event aims to address the urgent challenges posed by the degradation of Earth’s natural systems and the impact on human health and well-being. (
At the recent Homeless to Housed Symposium—part of the ULI 2025 Spring Meeting in Denver, Colorado—Jeff Olivet, a prominent expert in advancing solutions to homelessness, delivered a keynote address. In it, he not only contextualized the current state of homelessness in the United States but also provided a foundational framework for the forthcoming 10 Principles for Addressing Homelessness: A Guide for Commercial Real Estate & Finance.
At a panel at the 2025 ULI Spring Meeting in Denver, Colorado, legal experts shared their insights on how developers, planners, and housing advocates can better navigate the myriad barriers and evolving legal framework at federal, state, and local levels to advance affordable housing projects and initiatives.
Three-time Paralympian medalist, Denver resident, bestselling author, and motivational speaker Amy Purdy shared her inspirational story during the closing session of the 2025 ULI Spring Meeting.
The Lewis Center for Sustainability Forum commemorated the 10th anniversary of its Building Healthy Places Toolkit, a pivotal resource designed to integrate health and wellness into real estate development. The forum—held on the first day of ULI’s 2025 Spring Meeting, in Denver, Colorado—brought together industry leaders, each of whom highlighted the toolkit’s significant impact and the evolving focus on health within the built environment.
Developer sought to improve people’s lives through her work.
Local governments are rolling out new and updated programs—including tax incentives and zoning amendments—to encourage developers to convert vacant office buildings to some other use.
U.S. tariffs have increased from around 3 percent to 24.8 percent on a trade-weighted rate—the highest in over a century—and would climb to 32.8 percent if all proposed levies were implemented. The Yale Budget Center conservatively estimates that tariffs will cause the personal consumption expenditures price index to rise 3 percent, cutting household purchasing power by $4,900 annually.
During the 2025 ULI Housing Opportunity Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, a pivotal discussion centered on innovative funding solutions to address homelessness. The “Homeless to Housed: Marrying the Money with the Deal” session, moderated by Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett, featured key leaders in affordable housing, including Shannon Nazworth, president and CEO of Ability Housing; Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO of New Hope Housing; and Margot Besnard, an associate on the acquisitions team at Jonathan Rose Companies.
Existing properties get makeovers to provide sustainable options for vulnerable populations
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