Social Housing Shake-Up (NZ): New Zealand’s Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Social Development Minister Louise Upston unveiled a multi-year reform that raises social housing rent contributions from 25% to 30% of income from April next year, with phased changes—prompting sharp backlash from Finance Minister Nicola Willis after she regretted saying social housing tenants “won the lotto.” Policy Pushback (NZ): Community Housing Aotearoa warns tighter eligibility could block access for people most at risk and increase homelessness, even as the government argues the system is “unfair” and inefficient. Housing Bill Momentum (US): The U.S. House passed a major housing affordability package 396-13, but Senate alignment—especially on institutional investors—remains unclear. Local Housing Pressure (Canada): Vancouver’s natural gas restrictions are under review after industry groups backed a mayoral motion, arguing energy rules are driving up housing and operating costs. Safety Flashpoint (US): A stabbing inside a Gowanus supportive housing building has residents worried about violence and whether safety concerns are being addressed. Global Forum (Azerbaijan): WUF13 in Baku kicked off day five with housing at the center of crisis recovery and finance discussions. Construction Waste (NZ): Porirua opened a new construction-and-demolition waste processing facility to divert material from landfill and support a circular economy.