Commercial to Residential Conversions

[CodeWarrior]

It appears the trends toward workplaces at home have created much unused office space. With a widespread housing shortage, these offices could be converted to residential use. But regulations drive up costs making conversions more expensive than building new properties. This article covers localities that have taken steps to make the conversions more viable.

Cities cut red tape to turn unused office buildings into housing • New Hampshire Bulletin

Nearly a fifth of office space across the country sits empty, a record high vacancy rate that’s expected to keep growing.

newhampshirebulletin.com

 

[ICE]

The buildings are not going to fix the vacancy problem on their own. The recent promise from a presidential candidate to build three million new dwellings was seen as wishful thinking...and that it was. However there are plenty of existing buildings that will go to waste if not repurposed. There might be a need for a code that is specific to this condition. As long as the dwelling is safe to occupy, all other parameters that are an impediment should be waved.

What matters more, homeless people have a shelter or the walls are insulated to R-whatever? They've had plenty of outdoor air, do they need it still? What would a third world country do? Maybe we could learn a thing or two from them.

 

[steveray]

Useless article…no specifics, no details other than giving away taxpayer dollars…that always works to make things more affordable…