The hottest Housing policy Substack posts right now

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The Housing Shortage by Metro Area, Part 4

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Real Estate Economic Theory Urban planning
  1. There is a housing shortage, which means there are not enough homes available for people who need them. This shortage can lead to high prices and long waiting lists for affordable housing.
  2. When rent control is put in place, it may help some tenants afford their homes but can also lead to declining quality of living conditions. Property owners often stop maintaining their properties, which can create additional problems.
  3. Access to mortgage loans is important for homebuyers. If people can't get loans to buy homes, it reduces the amount of housing being supplied in the market, contributing to the overall shortage of available homes.

Rent inflation since Covid

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 126 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Inflation Economic Trends Urban Development Migration
  1. Rent prices have risen significantly since Covid, especially in areas with low housing supply. This has caused many families to struggle with housing costs.
  2. After a temporary shift in housing demand during the pandemic, some families moved away from expensive urban areas. However, this has led to rising rents in previously cheaper neighborhoods.
  3. Currently, rent inflation seems to be moderating, which is good news for families. If housing construction continues to grow, it could help families afford better living situations.

Can a Graphic Novel Change Housing Policy?

Bet On It • 80 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Graphic novels Housing policy Media influence Literature Public Discourse
  1. Graphic novels can influence important topics like housing policy. They make complex ideas easier to understand with visuals.
  2. Lower housing costs often get overlooked because people focus on less important concerns. It's important to address what truly matters.
  3. Using engaging media like podcasts can help share and discuss these ideas effectively with a wider audience.

I’m back, and asking: why shouldn’t Cambridge be the size of Bristol?

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 904 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Urban planning Economy Housing policy
  1. The idea of expanding cities like Cambridge to the size of Bristol is being considered for economic growth.
  2. Historically, English cities have transformed in size as economic conditions change, showing potential for growth.
  3. Challenges like housing affordability and lab space need to be addressed for cities like Cambridge to thrive as tech hubs.

The Housing Shortage by Metro Area

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban planning Economic Inequality Homeownership Real Estate
  1. There's a big housing shortage in many cities, meaning not enough homes are available for everyone who needs one. Building homes could help to lower rising rents and prices.
  2. The real estate market is affected by restrictions on building new homes. If these rules were eased, more homes could be built, which would make housing more affordable.
  3. Investing in new housing could change a lot financially. It could lower the overall value of land but make living situations better for many people, even if it seems risky at first.
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What Homes Are Missing (by Tenure)?

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development Economic Impacts
  1. Many families are moving from cities with low homeownership to suburbs where buying homes is easier. This shift is due to different housing policies in urban areas that limit new building.
  2. There is a significant shortage of homes, estimated to be around 10 million units. This shortage is partly caused by barriers to mortgage access and the decline in new home construction.
  3. The market for rental homes is expected to grow because of the high demand for housing. However, local rules and costs may prevent enough new homes from being built to meet this demand.

Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-December 2024

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 33 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💰 Finance Real Estate Market Trends Economic Indicators Inventory Analysis Housing policy
  1. New home listings rose slightly by 2% in November compared to last year, but they are still lower than pre-pandemic levels.
  2. The increase in listings was fueled by lower mortgage rates, but higher rates are now reducing new sellers coming into the market.
  3. December and January are typically slow months for new home listings, so we can expect fewer homes to be listed in the near future.

Links to Consider, 10/23/2024

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Public Policy Housing policy Political elites
  1. American politics has been stuck in a deadlock because both parties are close in power, leading to constant fighting for control. This makes elections contentious and the political environment very tense.
  2. Public-private partnerships can lead to problems like corruption and a focus on global interests over national ones. This disconnect can happen when these partnerships are not accountable to the public.
  3. In India, excessive regulations and government control hinder economic growth and worsen poverty. Many people work informally because the rules are so strict that it limits job opportunities.

How Did Blocking Stuff Become Left-Coded?

I Might Be Wrong • 14 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban planning Housing policy Political Commentary Social Issues Infrastructure
  1. Many people feel frustrated with the slow processes that delay housing and infrastructure projects. They want things to move faster so that communities can improve.
  2. There's a concern that building new housing might change the character of some neighborhoods. People worry about gentrification and displacing existing residents.
  3. More housing could help make neglected areas more livable. It could also lower rents and improve safety instead of letting decay continue in those neighborhoods.

Berkeley's Upzoning Would Be Among Nation's Largest

The Discourse Lounge • 204 HN points • 17 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development
  1. Berkeley is considering a zoning reform that would allow for over 100,000 additional homes, making it one of the largest zoning changes in the U.S. per capita.
  2. The city's historical use of exclusionary zoning kept out non-rich and minority residents but is now facing a significant shift to allow for 'Missing Middle' housing.
  3. Proposed changes aim to remove density limits, increase affordable housing options, consider fire safety, and encourage alternative transportation methods like cycling and public transit.

Has LA cracked the code for building affordable housing?

Urben Field Notes • 84 HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing Affordable Housing Housing policy
  1. Los Angeles has a successful program for building middle-income affordable housing without public subsidies.
  2. Building codes can hinder affordable housing construction by adding unnecessary costs and delays.
  3. Existing restrictive housing policies in cities like LA can limit the effectiveness of new affordable housing initiatives.

A Public Comment in Alexandria

Cornerstone • 19 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Zoning Housing Crisis City Council
  1. The importance of transit-oriented development in addressing housing needs and housing policy challenges in regions like Alexandria.
  2. Advocacy for zoning reforms and the need to view each other positively and collaboratively in solving the housing crisis.
  3. Engagement in community planning and promoting diverse housing options to create inclusive, thriving neighborhoods.

Maui’s Post-Wildfire Housing Crisis Offers a Warning for Los Angeles 🌴 🔥

Hothouse // Solutions • 3 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Disaster Response Housing policy Homelessness Urban planning
  1. After wildfires, many people in Maui ended up homeless and rents spiked by a lot. This situation could happen in Los Angeles if strong renter protections aren't put in place.
  2. In Maui, some landlords took advantage of the disaster by raising rents or evicting tenants to bring in higher-paying renters. This hurt those who were already struggling after losing their homes.
  3. Los Angeles leaders are under pressure to protect renters now. Activists are keeping track of price-gouging, but it's unclear if officials can enforce laws to help tenants.

An insider's guide to NYC's quirky rental laws

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development
  1. In NYC, many leases require you to cover 80% of your floor with carpet to keep noise levels down. This helps prevent annoying sounds from neighbors above.
  2. Landlords in NYC must provide heat and hot water at specific temperatures, making sure your apartment stays warm in winter. This is stricter than in many other places, like London.
  3. Tenants in NYC often pay broker fees that can be between 8-15% of their annual rent, unlike in places like the UK where landlords typically cover these fees.

The Price of Delay

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Regulation Economics Urban Development Public Policy
  1. Housing regulations slow down construction and make planning harder for developers. This uncertainty discourages them from investing in new buildings.
  2. A new study shows if we reduce approval wait times, it could lead to significantly more housing being built. However, there are questions about how realistic these estimates are.
  3. Clearer regulations could make a big difference in housing supply. Countries with more straightforward building laws tend to have better housing outcomes.