Best Of: Why Housing Is So Expensive — Particularly in Blue States
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Zoning Laws
Zoning laws have significantly shaped the landscape of American cities, often limiting the diversity of housing types available. and discuss how zoning laws, which became widespread in the early 20th century, have restricted development to primarily single-family homes, making it illegal to rebuild diverse housing structures that existed in the past 1. This has led to a lack of experimentation in housing development and has disproportionately affected poorer neighborhoods, where building is more permissible compared to affluent areas 2. Schuetz highlights the challenges of neighborhood democracy, where those with more time and resources can influence decisions, often at the expense of broader community needs 3.
We've essentially outlawed the stuff that already exists in a lot of homes.
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The conversation underscores the need for more inclusive and representative decision-making processes in urban planning.
Infrastructure Needs
Infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting housing development, yet often lags behind, creating barriers to building more homes. and explore how inadequate investment in social infrastructure, such as schools and public transportation, is used as an argument against new housing developments 4. This lack of infrastructure planning leads to housing being built on urban fringes, which is environmentally detrimental and inefficient 5. Schuetz points out that many urban areas have underutilized infrastructure that could support more housing, but political and social barriers prevent rational development decisions.
More homes means more people and they use public services of all kinds.
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Addressing these issues requires a coordinated approach to infrastructure and housing policy.
Democratic Processes
Democratic processes in housing policy often result in outcomes that do not reflect the broader public interest. argues that local democratic processes, while intended to be representative, often empower a select group of individuals who can navigate the political system effectively 6. This results in affluent neighborhoods having more control over housing developments, leading to a lack of housing in high-opportunity areas 7. Schuetz explains that this dynamic is particularly pronounced in affluent areas where residents use their influence to block developments, exacerbating housing shortages and inequality 8.
The people who show up to that neighborhood meeting for five or 6 hours on a Tuesday night tend to be older, wealthier, whiter, more likely to be homeowners.
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Reforming these processes is essential to create more equitable housing policies.