Empty-Home Tax Fight (San Francisco): A California appeals panel blocked San Francisco’s voter-approved Empty Home Tax, saying state law bars cities from effectively forcing owners to rent or face steep penalties. Renter Protections (Chicago): Chicago’s Housing and Real Estate Committee narrowly advanced the Protecting Renters Ordinance after tweaks, including shifting some relocation-cost responsibility and adding per-unit fees to fund tenant legal help. Short-Term Rental Crackdown (Norfolk): Norfolk City Council is weighing tighter rules on new Airbnbs and other short-term rentals in Willoughby Spit, using a 300-foot buffer around existing listings. Affordable Housing Progress (Falls Church): Falls Church City Council ranked Urban Atlantic first for Virginia Village redevelopment, a path toward up to 200 discounted homes. Housing Market Shift (Australia): realestate.com.au reports buyers gaining leverage as prices soften and homes take longer to sell, despite fewer listings in major markets. Luxury & Records (Tucson): A 2024 gated Catalina Foothills home sold for $8.6M, setting a new local benchmark. Development Pipeline (Canberra): Two approved blocks in Kaleen, offered as a consolidated 5-dwelling site, hit the market with expectations above $2.4M. Policy & Infrastructure (Russia): Deputy PM Marat Khusnullin said 129 integrated territorial development projects are active in Russia’s Southern Federal District, with housing and infrastructure expansion underway. Local Governance (Costa Mesa): Costa Mesa approved a plan for 2,300 homes at the former Fairview Developmental Center, including 920 affordable units, after concerns over density.