From a new roof to upgraded appliances and furniture, the renovations at the recently reopened Saigon Night karaoke bar and restaurant on Albermale Road is an example of economic mobility efforts in action.

Funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Foundation For The Carolinas’ Beyond Open grants program, the capital improvements have enabled Saigon Night to extend its hours–and its owners hope that an expanded staff and more growth opportunities will eventually follow.

“The whole building…

Several years ago, Takaus Swinney’s work in property management brought him to Atlanta. He had worked in the city before and loved it so much he wanted to establish permanent roots by becoming a homeowner. Initially, he thought it might be an impossible dream since the city is one of the most overpriced housing markets in the U.S. according to the Real Estate Initiative at Florida Atlantic University.

Last November, Swinney found a homebuyer’s education workshop for aspiring homeowners offered…

From the name of the development itself, to steel art pieces featuring his name in Farsi, elements of developer Ali Youssefi are infused into the newly opened Ary Place project in Sacramento's urban core.

In an increasing number of North Carolina jurisdictions, including the cities of Raleigh and Durham, local officials have opened up their housing markets with such policies as relaxing parking requirements and allowing homeowners to add accessory dwelling units to their lots.